One of the best things about college football is that no one has an easy schedule. Despite the masses saying some teams have a “cupcake” schedule, we see teams struggle with an opponent we did not expect every year.
This year isn’t any different, so let’s dive into every team’s most challenging game for the 2025 season.
Who Is the Hardest Team On Your Squad’s Schedule? All 136 FBS Teams’ Toughest Games of the Year
The best thing about college football is that on any given Saturday, any team can truly win. Every year, teams deliver shocking upsets that shake up the landscape of the entire season and create lasting memories.
It is hard to predict precisely where these upsets will happen, but one analyst is giving five picks where he sees an opportunity for some of the biggest programs in college football to fall short.
Air Force Falcons
Toughest Game: at UNLV, October 11
An argument can be made that Boise State University is the toughest game on their schedule, and a stronger one could be made that a road trip to the Navy Midshipmen is up there, too. However, the trip to UNLV at the end of a tough four-game stretch is the toughest to me.
After facing the Broncos, an up-and-coming University of Hawaii team, and Navy, the Falcons have to face the UNLV Rebels. Dan Mullen’s squad could be firing on all cylinders at this point in the season, and Air Force might be gassed after the three previous demanding games, making this a challenging road test.
Akron Zips
Toughest Game: at Toledo, September 27
Everyone is on Joe Moorhead watch this year after the Zips were ruled ineligible for the postseason in 2025. Getting to a bowl game was already going to be a significant challenge, and the Zips are not doing themselves any favors with that ruling.
After an 8-28 start in his first three seasons, Moorhead is certainly feeling the pressure. The Toledo game presents a significant challenge because the Zips will most likely be 1-2 heading into this matchup. If the Rockets decisively defeat Moorhead’s squad, it could mean the end of his tenure as head coach at the University of Akron.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Toughest Game: at Georgia, September 27
A rematch of the Ryan Williams show highlights what will be a busy month of September for the Crimson Tide. Kalen DeBoer’s squad is trying to prove that they can win without legendary coach Nick Saban, despite what Tommy Castellanos has to say.
The Tide prevailed in an epic showdown last year, so the Bulldogs know the importance of this game and will be looking for revenge.
ABSOLUTE SCENES IN TUSCALOOSA!!!
RYAN WILLIAMS WITH A 75-YARD TD TO RETAKE THE LEAD! pic.twitter.com/pvc9ML7E7G
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2024
Alabama will have already faced Florida State and Wisconsin at this point in the season, so DeBoer should either feel great about the quarterback situation or quite terrified.
The Seminoles and Badgers are both looking to bounce back this year, but the Georgia Bulldogs are a completely different beast to tame, especially on their home turf.
Appalachian State Mountaineers
Toughest Game: at Southern Miss, September 13
There are a number of games that provide challenges to the Mountaineers and new head coach Dowell Loggains, but the game against Southern Mississippi is an early test. Charles Huff takes over the Golden Eagles program, and he has infused talent from the transfer portal to revive it.
Loggains did the same with the Appalachian State Mountaineers, so this matchup is a measuring stick to see how far each program has come in their respective rebuilds. Stopping the reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year in Braylon Braxton will not be easy, but App State must contain him if it wants to get its winning ways back on track and establish itself early in the season.
Arizona Wildcats
Toughest Game: at Iowa State, September 27
Every game could potentially feel tough when star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is not running routes, but this one is especially challenging early in the season. Arizona faces three of the top Big 12 teams in the first half of their schedule, so the trajectory of the Wildcats might be known within the first month of play.
Playing in Ames, Iowa, against the Iowa State Cyclones is a different beast, and Brent Brennan’s team has a lot of work to do to get back on track after a challenging 2024 season.
Without McMillan, quarterback Noah Fifita has to find a new go-to target. Doing that against a tough Iowa State defense will not be easy, putting significant pressure on Arizona’s offensive playmakers.
Arizona State Sun Devils
Toughest Game: at Baylor, September 20
A magical run in 2024 raised expectations within the Arizona State Sun Devils program, and getting back to the College Football Playoff will not be easy. Especially not without star running back Cam Skattebo. Still, this is a deep team with plenty of returning talent, so repeating that success is still on the table for head coach Kenny Dillingham and his squad.
The Big 12 continues to be the biggest unknown in terms of conference favorites, with multiple teams setting their sights on a title, and Baylor University is certainly one of them.
Quarterback Sawyer Robertson and the Bears’ offense look to test the Sun Devils early in the season, and the result of this game will put one of them in the driver’s seat early in the year for conference contention.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Toughest Game: at Ole Miss, September 20
Sometimes, the toughest game for a team is not actually the toughest opponent on paper. With head coach Sam Pittman on the hot seat, this might be a team that takes things week by week, which is why Ole Miss game feels bigger than it might end up. The game is played at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.
The Arkansas Razorbacks and Ole Miss Rebels usher in new talent within their offenses, so this early matchup might be a preview of what is to come for the rest of the season in the SEC.
Yes, Arkansas has plenty of more talented competition later on their schedule, but a loss here means they might play those subsequent games with an interim head coach, adding immense pressure to this contest.
Arkansas State Red Wolves
Toughest Game: Texas State, October 4
Last year’s contest did not end well for Arkansas State, so they are hoping this year’s result is different against the Texas State Bobcats.
A team that could be a sleeper contender in the Sun Belt Conference, the Red Wolves could use this game as a springboard for their conference title hopes and establish themselves as a force.
G.J. Kinne’s squad continues rotating players in via the transfer portal, and this game is early enough in the season that they still might need time to gel as a cohesive unit. However, Kinne’s offenses have historically given the Arkansas State Red Wolves trouble, so the defense must find ways to slow them down this year to secure a crucial victory.
Army Black Knights
Toughest Game: Navy (in Baltimore), December 13
This one is obvious. The Army Black Knights won the American Athletic Conference in 2024, but they lost to the Navy Midshipmen the following week in their annual rivalry game. Simply put, there is not a tougher game on Army’s schedule, regardless of other opponents.
It does not matter how good or bad one of these teams might be in a given year, this one is always going to be tough to win due to the immense rivalry and stakes. Do the Black Knights turn the tables this year?
The Midshipmen are poised to make a run at an AAC title, and the roles could be reversed in 2025. Regardless, this game will be a fierce battle, and both sides know that it will be the toughest game for them to win all season.
Auburn Tigers
Toughest Game: at Texas A&M, September 27
Auburn’s schedule is littered with tough games. The first week against Baylor will not be easy. Neither will the road trip to Norman, Oklahoma, to face the Oklahoma Sooners before this matchup. However, at this point in the season, we should know what the Tigers will be, and this will likely be the toughest environment they face all year.
Yes, they face the Georgia and Alabama later in the season, but those games are at home in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Ending the month of September in College Station, Texas, against the Texas A&M Aggies will truly test a team that is hoping that quarterback Jackson Arnold is the real deal.
The Tigers’ wide receivers should also have an interesting test against the Aggies’ formidable defensive backfield.
Ball State Cardinals
Toughest Game: at Northern Illinois, October 25
Both Ball State and Northern Illinois hope to make significant improvements in 2025, and this MAC game could dictate how each finishes their season.
Going on the road to DeKalb, Illinois, makes this game even more difficult for the Ball State Cardinals, and their final stretch of the season, outside of Kent State University, presents even more challenges.
Baylor Bears
Toughest Game: Auburn, August 29
Auburn, SMU, Arizona State, and Kansas State all make appearances on the schedule in the first six games for the Baylor Bears. So, if someone wants to pick one of those games as the toughest, they certainly have a case.
Playing Auburn anytime would be tough, but playing them in the first game of the season adds another level of difficulty for Baylor, setting an immediate tone for their year.
The Bears enter the 2025 season with plenty of hype. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson and the passing attack are expected to thrive this year, but they need to hit their stride early to meet those expectations.
Defending the Auburn Tigers’ passing attack presents an early challenge for Baylor’s defense, and fans will be wondering if the Bears’ secondary is ready for such a formidable test right out of the gate.
Boise State Broncos
Toughest Game: at Notre Dame, October 4
This one is also pretty obvious. A road trip to USF presents an early challenge in the first game, but beating Notre Dame will require the Boise State Broncos to play on another level entirely.
The offense does not have star running back Ashton Jeanty, and the defense is without standout Ahmed Hassanein, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 2025 NFL Draft, so the question becomes if they have enough talent to stay competitive in that game against a top-tier opponent.
The Fighting Irish are coming off of a national championship game appearance in 2024, where they fell to Ohio State, but they also notably lost to Northern Illinois early in 2024, providing a glimmer of hope for an upset-minded opponent.
The Broncos have historically been great at stunning big teams in the past, and they could return to that era if they find a way to pull off an upset here in South Bend, Indiana.
Boston College Eagles
Toughest Game: at Michigan State, September 6
For the most part, Bill O’Brien’s team gets a little runway to sort things out. Multiple key players depart, meaning they’ll need time for the new starters to get acclimated to their roles. Unfortunately, Michigan State awaits in their second game.
Boston College went 3-4 in one-score games last year, and that was with those now departed players. Ushering in new talent might mean they need time to compete in close games, and the Spartans won’t be patient enough to let them hang around. Especially not after last year’s result.
Bowling Green Falcons
Toughest Game: at Cincinnati, September 6
Eddie George looks to get his new team off to a fast start, and the first month presents tough competition. Cincinnati, Liberty, Louisville, and Ohio all grace the schedule, so any of those could be considered here. This game will be a good indicator of how the next three will go.
Scott Satterfield’s Bearcats are looking for improvement this year, and a strong performance against a rebuilding Falcons team will help. The Falcons won’t have Harold Fanin Jr. making plays for them this year, so they need to find a replacement quickly if they want to have a chance in this one.
Buffalo Bulls
Toughest Game: at Minnesota, August 28
Every other game on the Buffalo Bulls’ schedule is winnable, but the first game against the Golden Gophers presents the toughest challenge yet. Pete Lembo’s squad comes into the 2025 season with a ton of momentum after a 9-4 season, but an upset here would take their excitement to new levels.
While the Gophers are going through a transition at quarterback, their rushing attack will test the Bulls physically. The rest of September should be easier, but this one might put a damper on their mood heading into the year. They should bounce back quickly, but this one will test them.
BYU Cougars
Toughest Game: Utah, October 18
Most of this stems from Jake Retzlaff’s status heading into the season. If he plays, then the toughest game could still be Utah, but is most likely the trip to Lubbock to face Texas Tech in November. If Retzlaff can’t go, then the focus shifts to getting McCae Hillstead up to speed.
The schedule doesn’t present a challenge that the Cougars can’t handle up until this point. However, if the passing attack can’t be a formidable one, then this rivalry game could be tough to escape with a win. If Hillstead’s playing confidently, then the Cougars should be just fine.
California Golden Bears
Toughest Game: Minnesota, September 13
Cal faces plenty of challenges heading into the season, and finding established weapons on offense is high on that list. A new quarterback and multiple new wide receivers will play huge roles, and they must find chemistry quickly before facing the Gophers.
Safety Koi Perich is a star in the making for the Gophers, and his team looks to surprise people early in the year. If the Golden Bears’ offense struggles to put drives together and move the ball through the air, it could be a long game. Perich and the Gophers’ secondary won’t make it easy either.
Thanks to the transfer portal, the Golden Bears are also looking to replenish a bare cupboard of running back talent, so the offense needs time to gel. The Gophers just aren’t willing to wait around to let them sort those things out in this one.
Central Michigan Chippewas
Toughest Game: at San Jose State, August 28
A cross-country trip for the first game of the season is always tough. Central Michigan is also introducing a new coaching staff and starting the year with three straight road games.
Matt Drinkall gets his first taste of adversity in his first game. San Jose State hopes to compete for a Mountain West title, and this is a great way to boost their confidence. The Chippewas also must head to Pitt and Michigan after this, so it will be on Drinkall to get his squad motivated for the rest of the schedule.
Charlotte 49ers
Toughest Game: Appalachian State, August 29
Tim Albin’s job of rebuilding the Charlotte 49ers team was always going to be hard, but the first game presents the challenge of keeping fans excited if it doesn’t go their way. Dowell Loggains takes over an Appalachian State program that’s looking to get their own fanbase reinvested, and a neutral site game could help.
The 49ers roster went through a major overhaul the last few years, so Albin must produce a product that the fanbase can get behind quickly. A loss here would make that tough, and they have to host North Carolina the next week.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Toughest Game: at Utah, November 11
A rather favorable schedule should make for an interesting year for Cincinnati. Their road trips are manageable, and most of their toughest opponents come to Nippert Stadium. The road trip to Utah to start the month of November worries me.
If you’re going to beat Utah, you need to play physical up front, and the atmosphere adds an extra layer of difficulty. The Utes’ offensive line should be one of the best in the country, meaning the Bearcats must be up to the task (and also keep Dontay Corleone healthy).
Clemson Tigers
Toughest Game: at South Carolina, November 29
Yes, Clemson must host LSU right away, and they also have to go to Louisville just two weeks prior to this game. However, the trip to South Carolina is as big as it’s ever been in this rivalry. The Gamecocks were left out of the College Football Playoff last year, and they’re ready to make sure that doesn’t happen again.
I’m sure that Dabo Swinney’s squad isn’t thrilled to see LaNorris Sellers again, but that adds to the importance of this game. Sellers could be a Heisman candidate, and the Tigers want to make sure their own Heisman candidate, Cade Klubnik, shines more than his rival.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Toughest Game: ECU, September 13
Tim Beck’s team most likely enters this game 1-1 unless they can surprise Virginia on the road. ECU comes to town as a potential AAC title contender, and playing on the teal turf gives them a challenge. The Chanticleers’ defense must find multiple new go-to players, and the offense ushers in a new era at quarterback, so it won’t be an easy one.
Colorado Buffaloes
Toughest Game: Georgia Tech, August 29
This is a tone-setter for a new era of Colorado Buffaloes football. Deion Sanders doesn’t have Shedeur Sanders or Travis Hunter back this year, so he turns a new page in his coaching career while also needing to identify new reliable players.
The Kaidon Salter and Haynes King battle should be a fun one to watch, and the Yellow Jackets showed last year that they’ll be tough to beat. With the Buffaloes going through so much transition at multiple positions, this is a tough one to start the season.
Colorado State Rams
Toughest Game: UTSA, September 20
Honestly, Colorado State’s first half of the schedule isn’t a kind one outside of Northern Colorado. Jay Norvell saw multiple top players leave via the portal or graduation, and he also needs his quarterback to elevate his game.
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi needs to survive the Washington game right away and needs to be in the right mindset to face a UTSA team that’s ready to make some noise this season. Roadrunners quarterback Owen McCown could be the Player of the Year in the AAC, and has a quality group of pass catchers that will test the Rams’ defense.
Delaware Blue Hens
Toughest Game: UConn, September 13
College football welcomes Delaware to the FBS level in 2025, and we’ll soon find out how this team stacks up compared to the rest of Conference USA. The increase in competition means this transition should take time, and the UConn game will show us that.
The Huskies’ rushing attack will gash defenses this year, and the Blue Hens have their work cut out for them trying to stop running back Cam Edwards. A 1-2 start appears on the horizon, and from there, we’ll see how well they can handle conference play.
Duke Blue Devils
Toughest Game: at Clemson, November 1
Duke will have plenty of work to do early in the schedule when it hosts Illinois and travels to Tulane the next week. New quarterback Darian Mensah’s return to New Orleans could make for a challenging contest, but the Clemson game is tougher for multiple reasons.
For starters, the Tigers are the more talented team, but they also play them late in the season. We’ve seen the Blue Devils stun this team before, but that was early in the season. Those early-season jitters will be gone, so the Tigers will have all of those out of their system by then.
East Carolina Pirates
Toughest Game: at NC State, August 28
Even though ECU has championship aspirations in 2025, the first month of the season might make it tough to remember that. After a chippy and competitive bowl game against NC State, the two teams face off to begin this season. The Pirates can’t get too wrapped up in the emotions of this one because bigger goals await.
They also must handle a road trip to Coastal Carolina and host BYU before conference play even begins. This first game will tell us if this team is locked on to the bigger picture. It will be a battle again, so this could be a draining game physically and mentally.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
Toughest Game: at Buffalo, October 4
This program is in a great place thanks to head coach Chris Creighton, but they’re not satisfied after a disappointing finish in 2024. They’ll have to surprise some teams this year, and it won’t be easy to do with the first part of their schedule.
The trip to Buffalo to start October is the end of the toughest part of their schedule, which adds to the difficulty. The Bulls hope to win the MAC this year, and playing them on the road won’t be fun for the Eagles. Creighton’s pulled off stunners before, but this one would recalibrate everyone’s expectations of this team.
FAU Owls
Toughest Game: at USF, October 18
New FAU head coach Zach Kittley has his work cut out for him, especially on the road. The Owls face nearly every AAC title contender this year, and have to face three of them on the road. A two-game stretch at USF and Navy is about as tough as it gets in this conference.
Facing the Midshipmen’s triple option attack provides its own challenges, however, slowing down the Bulls’ spread attack might be tougher. If Byrum Brown is healthy, the Owls will have their hands full stopping the dual-threat quarterback.
FIU Panthers
Toughest Game: FAU, September 13
A rivalry game early in the season feels wrong, but that’s the new era of college football, unfortunately. The Panthers enter a new era, and getting a win over the Owls would be a great way to begin the season. Their schedule paves the way for a successful year, but this one could determine the team’s success early.
Florida Gators
Toughest Game: at LSU, September 13
Florida has a schedule that no one envies, so picking one tough game isn’t easy. The trip to Baton Rouge might be a tone setter for the rest of the season. Quarterback DJ Lagway enters the 2025 season with a ton of hype, and this will be his first opportunity to shine over another star in LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
a DJ Lagway laser pic.twitter.com/TnMO8Kfp0o
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) March 24, 2025
Lagway possesses all of the tools to be an elite quarterback, but there are plenty of challenges ahead of him. Imagine how out of hand the hype will get if the Gators are competing for an SEC title. Beating the Tigers would be a great way to launch his Heisman campaign.
Florida State Seminoles
Toughest Game: Alabama, August 30
This one felt too easy, but then Thomas Castellanos opened his mouth and made this game more intriguing. Florida State needed a jolt of energy for the season, but I don’t know if picking the Crimson Tide was the best choice. Still, Castellanos’ comments add some flair to this game, something college football needs more of lately.
Mike Norvell likes what he sees from Castellanos as his quarterback, and he should get behind his quarterback’s confidence if he’s not already. It won’t be a walk in the park trying to pull off an upset, but the Seminoles have nothing to lose at this point.
Fresno State Bulldogs
Toughest Game: at Kansas, August 23
In the past, Fresno State was a team that bigger schools did not want to face. Will that continue under Matt Entz? That remains to be seen, but the answer to that question could arrive in the first game. The Bulldogs face a Kansas Jayhawks team looking to bounce back, and stopping quarterback Jalon Daniels presents a number of challenges.
Georgia Bulldogs
Toughest Game: Texas, November 15
Everyone expects the Georgia Bulldogs to be a contender in both the SEC and the College Football Playoff. Throw in the extra motivation from last year’s disappointing ending to the season, and Kirby Smart’s team should get this year off to a fast start.
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They do face Alabama in September and a neutral-site game against Florida to start November, but the home game against Texas late in the season will be toughest. If Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is legit, the Bulldogs might have their hands full.
Georgia Southern Eagles
Toughest Game: at James Madison, September 27
Georgia Southern is being slept on in the Sun Belt, and they’re looking to make a run at a conference championship. The returning talent should put them in a position to do so, and we’ll find out the legitimacy of their run early when they face the Dukes.
Georgia State Panthers
Toughest Game: at Vanderbilt, September 20
Seriously? Yeah, seriously. The Panthers beat Vanderbilt last year, so pulling off another stunner won’t be easy. They’ll also need to do it on the road this year, and the Commodores won’t forget what happened in 2024.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Toughest Game: vs. Georgia, November 28
Facing the Bulldogs in a neutral site isn’t ideal, but there are other aspects that make this game tough. It’s the last game of the regular season, and the Yellow Jackets have to find a way to focus on the rest of their schedule before they get a chance for revenge.
Colorado and Clemson appear early in the season, so any misplaced focus should be addressed quickly. The loss to the Bulldogs last year has this team motivated, but the ACC schedule doesn’t provide too many tough challenges outside of Clemson to keep them locked in until the end of the year.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Toughest Game: at Arizona, August 30
Hawaii could go undefeated in August and September, and they’ll have multiple opportunities to pull off upsets. Up first is Stanford, another winnable game, but the bigger surprise would come if they stun Arizona at home.
Quarterback Micah Alejado enters the season as a breakout candidate. He’ll have plenty of options at his disposal, and starting the season 2-0 is possible if he can hit his stride. The Wildcats are reeling after a disappointing year, and they don’t have Tetairoa McMillan to catch passes anymore.
Houston Cougars
Toughest Game: Texas Tech, October 4
Houston hasn’t beaten Texas Tech since 2009, and that might not change this year if the Red Raiders are a playoff contender. The Cougars hope to bounce back after a rough year, and their schedule mostly gives them a chance to do that.
If they find a way to start the year undefeated, the excitement will grow around Willie Fritz’s program. However, we’ve seen that sometimes to means the Cougars get in their own head, and the Red Raiders take control. If they can avoid that, this one has the potential to be fun.
Illinois Fighting Illini
Toughest Game: at Duke, September 6
Can Bret Bielema actually get Illinois to the playoffs? That appears to be a trending question with his team, and they’ll have plenty of opportunities to prove their worth. A trip to Durham, North Carolina, will test them more than many realize.
College football fans forget about Duke year in and year out, regardless of success, and that’s not any different this year. The Blue Devils possess a tough defense, and the Fighting Illini offense must find ways to slow down their defensive line and move the ball against a good secondary.
If Bielema’s team is up for the challenge in this game, they should feel good about their chances in the rest of their schedule. A playoff run might be a stretch, and this game should give us all of the information we need.
Indiana Hoosiers
Toughest Game: at Oregon, October 11
Before they head to Eugene, the Hoosiers also face Illinois and Iowa. They should be competitive in those games, but facing the Ducks gives us a good idea of how legitimate they are in 2025.
A surprise playoff run in 2024 shocked everyone, but the element of surprise quickly disappeared in the offseason. Even with the Ducks going through a depth chart transition, including the loss of Evan Stewart, they’ll be a contender once again. How the Hoosiers match up gives us a clear picture of their playoff hopes.
Iowa Hawkeyes
Toughest Game: at Iowa State, September 6
A rivalry game early in the season doesn’t allow the Iowa Hawkeyes much time to usher in new starters. The Cyclones themselves have new faces that must step up, but Hawkeyes fans are eager to see what their offense can do with offensive coordinator Tim Lester and new quarterback Mark Gronowski teaming up.
Gronowski comes in after a successful tenure as South Dakota State’s starting quarterback and has a great skillset for this offense. He’s recovering from an injury, so the fanbase hasn’t seen much of him yet. This will be his first big chance to win them over and raise the trajectory of his new team in the process.
Iowa State Cyclones
Toughest Game: vs. Kansas State (in Ireland), August 23
Everything about having Farmageddon overseas feels wrong. A rivalry game between two potential Big 12 contenders should be played later in the season, but that’s what makes this game so much tougher for the Cyclones
Rocco Becht must find multiple new receivers, and the Wildcats’ defense isn’t going to afford him time to figure that out. This game has major implications, so the Cyclones’ fall camp becomes vitally important to get everyone up to speed.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Toughest Game: Liberty, September 6
Jacksonville State enters the Charles Kelly era, but the fanbase expects the Rich Rodriguez results to continue. We’ll find out quickly where the Gamecocks stand when they host Liberty on September 6. A mass exodus of talent made for a tough offseason, so it might be a little while before Kelly has his team back to its winning ways.
James Madison Dukes
Toughest Game: at Louisville, September 6
James Madison is a team that should have CFP aspirations this year. They’re one of the best teams in the conference, and they have the talent returning to make a run at the postseason tournament. A good measuring stick game comes when the Dukes travel to Louisville.
This is also a reminder that the Dukes dropped 70 points on North Carolina last year, so they’re not afraid of a challenge. It just might be harder to surprise people with a performance like that again this year.
Kansas Jayhawks
Toughest Game: at Missouri, September 6
Both Missouri and Kansas hope to exceed expectations in 2025, but only one can make that happen in this game. This is the Jayhawks’ final game before conference play begins, so a win would help build momentum.
The health of quarterback Jalon Daniels will be a constant storyline, and his presence gives the Jayhawks a good chance to beat the Tigers.
Kansas State Wildcats
Toughest Game: vs. Iowa State (in Ireland), August 23
Just like Iowa State, Kansas State hopes to win the Big 12 this year. Beginning the year with a conference game overseas isn’t ideal, but there’s nothing the Wildcats can do about that now.
The Wildcats didn’t lose much key talent to the NFL or the transfer portal, so they’re locked and loaded to make a run. Quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards make for an electric tandem, and that alone could give the Cyclones fits.
Kennesaw State Owls
Toughest Game: at Liberty, November 29
This team has the chance to surprise people this year, and the Liberty Flames know firsthand what that feels like after Kennesaw State upset them last year. The rematch of that game won’t be easy to replicate, though, as the Flames will be ready this time.
Regardless of how well Kennesaw State plays this year, the last game presents a huge challenge. If the Owls are on the cusp of making a bowl game, can they handle the pressure of winning the sixth game? If they’re not meeting expectations, will they have the energy to play? Either way, this one’s easily their toughest test.
Kent State Golden Flashes
Toughest Game: All of Them
Yes, even Merrimack. The Golden Flashes lost every game last year (including to St. Francis), and an interim coach has to figure out how to revive this program.
Kentucky Wildcats
Toughest Game: Toledo, August 30
Mark Stoops must get his team off to a fast start because last year left the fanbase upset with the program’s future. Toledo also bulldozed Mississippi State last year, so the Rockets aren’t a team to take lightly this early in the season.
Setting expectations for the Wildcats will come from this game. They have to show that they can handle inferior competition, and also show the fanbase that they can take things one game at a time. They can’t get caught overlooking the Rockets, even with Ole Miss coming to town the next week.
Liberty Flames
Toughest Game: James Madison, September 20
Last year was a massive disappointment for the Flames. A team that should consistently run Conference USA did not live up to the hype, and Jamey Chadwell’s looking to fix that immediately. The fanbase also expects success in nonconference play, and the Dukes present a tough test early in the season.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Toughest Game: Texas State, November 8
After a 10-win season in 2024, the Ragin Cajuns look to repeat that success this year. Conference play doesn’t present a ton of challenges that they can’t handle, but there are a couple that will test them.
A road trip to James Madison in October won’t be easy, but hosting Texas State arguably will have just as high stakes. Both teams hope to still be in contention for the Sun Belt title at this point in the season, and the Bobcats are ready for revenge after a close loss last year.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Toughest Game: Southern Miss, September 20
Sonny Cumbie is feeling the pressure to win, and some of the games on the Bulldogs’ schedule aren’t as easy as they used to be. Charles Huff takes over a Southern Miss program that was a nice bye week for some teams, but they will give the Bulldogs everything they can handle in 2025.
Louisville Cardinals
Toughest Game: at Miami, October 17
Louisville’s schedule has not raised many concerns until this point. They may start the year undefeated, making this game even more important. Miami is retooling some key positions but should have their chemistry sorted out by this game. The Cardinals should also be in the same boat.
Behind Clemson, there are multiple teams hoping to be considered the second-best team in the conference. Both of these teams are in that category, and the winner of this contest takes a step ahead of the other.
LSU Tigers
Toughest Game: at Clemson, August 30
The first game is the toughest for LSU because it sets the tone for the entire season. Not only do they have to face the Tigers in the first week, but they also must navigate a tough SEC schedule. There’s growing unrest surrounding head coach Brian Kelly, so the importance of this game escalates by the day.
Marshall Thundering Herd
Toughest Game: at Louisiana, September 27
New head coach Tony Gibson received a crash course in his promotion thanks to a mass exodus of talent with former coach Charles Huff. The Thundering Herd were a contender in the Sun Belt, and now Gibson’s left to pick up the pieces of a program that will need to rebuild.
Louisiana is still a contender in the conference, so this game gives us an indication of where both teams stan early in the season. If Gibson can find a way to get his team to challenge the Ragin Cajuns, there may be a sense of vindication. If not, they could be in for a long year.
Maryland Terrapins
Toughest Game: at Wisconsin, September 20
Both Maryland and Wisconsin need to win in this game. Luke Fickell and Mike Locksley are coaching for job security this year, and both understand the importance of winning. The winners breathe a sigh of relief, while the losers might be counting their days.
Memphis Tigers
Toughest Game: USF, October 25
Outside of the Arkansas game, there aren’t many big challenges awaiting the Memphis Tigers through the beginning of their schedule. The game against the Razorbacks should be tough, but I expect the Tigers will embrace the underdog role there with nothing to lose. Should they win that game, that’s when the difficulty increases.
Expectations are already high for Ryan Silverfield and his team, and a potentially undefeated Tigers team will be riding high when they host USF. The Bulls expect to contend for a conference title this year, and this game presents all sorts of challenges for the Tigers.
Miami Hurricanes
Toughest Game: Notre Dame, August 31
Carson Beck is ready to prove that he’s still one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and Miami wants to ensure they make the playoffs this year. They just won’t get much time to do so. Notre Dame played in the national title game last year, and they return a ton of talent that can lead them back.
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Beck and the Hurricanes’ passing attack will need time to gel, but an elite offensive line should help with that. The rushing attack should also improve this year, taking pressure away from their new quarterback. Still, the Fighting Irish are tough, and the stakes could not be higher for a first game.
Miami-OH Redhawks
Toughest Game: at Northern Illinois, October 4
The Redhawks’ first game of conference play will tell us if they’re ready for another title run. They just have to do it against a dangerous Northern Illinois team. Chuck Martin’s team brings in multiple new starters on both sides of the ball, but they’re hoping to have everyone up to speed at this point in the season.
Michigan Wolverines
Toughest Game: at Oklahoma, September 6
Sherrone Moore still has plenty to prove, even after an 8-5 season that included a win over Ohio State. Fortunately, he gets a chance to do so early when they travel to Norman, Oklahoma.
The big question will be how long they can wait until starting freshman phenom Bryce Underwood, but they don’t want to rush him either. The Sooners are a motivated team with their backs against the wall, so the Wolverines will have their hands full.
Michigan State Spartans
Toughest Game: at USC, September 20
Both Michigan State and USC have high hopes coming into 2025, and this game gives both an early conference test to show everyone where they stand. Spartans quarterback Aidan Chiles might need to make more plays than anticipated.
An offensive line that struggled last year, facing a Trojans defensive line that possesses multiple All-Big Ten players, makes for a poor combination. He’ll need to show his maturity to take that adversity in stride while also taking better care of the football in 2025.
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Toughest Game: Missouri State, October 8
Middle Tennessee struggled mightily with perceived inferior competition last year. If that continues in 2025, then this game won’t be fun. Missouri State has the chance to surprise Conference USA in its first season, so the Blue Raiders better come prepared for this game.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Toughest Game: Rutgers, September 27
Minnesota has the chance to surprise the Big Ten this year, but there are trap games that could test them. Rutgers, once again, will be a game they can’t overlook. The Scarlet Knights stunned the Gophers last year, and they’re ready to do it again.
Minnesota has a big game against Ohio State the week after this one, so it’s important for P.J. Fleck to focus his team on this game. If they’re undefeated up until this point, that part becomes paramount.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Toughest Game: Arizona State, September 6
Jeff Lebby continues fighting multiple battles, including resetting expectations for his program. The Bulldogs have multiple chances to do that, but hosting Arizona State early in the season provides them their first obstacle.
The Sun Devils made the College Football Playoff last year, so just keeping it competitive might be the goal. If they can’t do that, this could be another long year for the Bulldogs.
Missouri Tigers
Toughest Game: South Carolina, September 20
This game is the toughest for one reason: LaNorris Sellers. Missouri will not see another player like him on their schedule, and Sellers alone could torture this team. Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon better come up with a plan quickly, because Sellers and the Gamecocks are ready to start the season hot.
Missouri State Bears
Toughest Game: Western Kentucky, September 27
The Bears’ “Welcome to Conference USA” comes in the form of a motivated Western Kentucky team. Both offenses could be electric this year, but the Hilltoppers have more experience doing so at the FBS level.
Navy Midshipmen
Toughest Game: Army, December 13
Like we talked about earlier in the article, this is the toughest game for both teams. The Navy can easily win almost all of their games if they run their offense to perfection, but not this one. Rivalry games are different, so even if they win, it won’t be by a lot.
Add in the possibility of a potential playoff berth, and this game becomes the highest-stakes battle between these two programs ever.
NC State Wolfpack
Toughest Game: at Duke, September 20
Much of NC State’s success hinges on the development of its star quarterback C.J. Bailey. Dave Doeren’s feeling a bit of pressure to win again, and his quarterback plays a huge role in his job security going forward. Bailey will get tested early against Manny Diaz’s defense, and that’s a group hungry to humiliate any quarterback they face.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Toughest Game: Michigan, September 20
Nebraska has multiple tough games on its schedule, but this one is the toughest. The Cornhuskers hope to take a huge leap under Matt Rhule this year, and beating teams like Michigan will help in that endeavor. A loss leaves some uncertainty, though there are plenty of winnable games afterward to recover until the end of the season.
If the Cornhuskers want to make that jump, beating the Wolverines at home bodes them well. It obviously helps them with their record, but it helps them with their optics of beating a program that’s considered above them right now.
Nevada Wolf Pack
Toughest Game: at Fresno State, October 4
Nevada’s 3-10 record doesn’t tell us the entire story from last year. The Wolf Pack were 2-6 in one-score games last year, so there’s optimism surrounding this program. Winning in the Mountain West is a challenge, but that’s what makes the Fresno State game so interesting.
Last year, the Bulldogs survived this game in one of those one-score results, and they’re now going through a coaching transition. However, they’re a team that’s been in a different tier than the Wolf Pack, so that adds to the importance of this game. Jeff Choate’s team needs to elevate their play, and this is their big chance to do so.
New Mexico Lobos
Toughest Game: at San Jose State, October 4
This is the beginning of a tough stretch for the Lobos under new leadership, but this game might challenge them the most. The Spartans’ offense should be one of the best in the conference, and the Lobos’ defense didn’t exactly stop anyone last year.
New Mexico State Aggies
Toughest Game: Tulsa, September 6
There aren’t many games where New Mexico State will be favored this year. This game might not be the toughest on paper, but it’s toughest in what it represents. Tulsa hopes to bounce back this year under Tre Lamb, and they’ve been competitive with bigger teams even during their struggles. The Aggies need to do that in this game to build hope.
North Carolina Tar Heels
Toughest Game: TCU, September 1
We don’t know much about the North Carolina program right now, but we do know that they have a tough test to start the year. Thanks to Josh Hoover’s return, TCU’s offense should be one of the most explosive in the country, and the Tar Heels better come prepared in this one.
I trust that Bill Belichick’s brought in the right coaches to help this team win, but that doesn’t happen overnight. The first game will be full of uncertainty and mistakes, and the Horned Frogs feel like they are in a better position right now than their opponent.
North Texas Mean Green
Toughest Game: at Army, September 20
North Texas struggled mightily in this game last year, and now their offense is in transition. New faces must be ready to play, and that comes after facing Western Michigan and Washington State. This is a potential sleeper team in the AAC, but that won’t happen if they’re not dialed in against Army’s triple option attack.
Northern Illinois Huskies
Toughest Game: at Maryland, September 6
Coming off a season where they upset Notre Dame, expectations in nonconference play could not be higher for Northern Illinois. Maryland and Mississippi State are on the schedule this year, but they’re almost tougher to win in a way. Obviously, those games aren’t tougher in terms of talent, but the element of surprise is gone.
Northwestern Wildcats
Toughest Game: at Tulane, August 30
If David Braun wants to get Northwestern back on track, he better make sure his team takes this game seriously. Tulane is not a team you typically want to face if you’re looking to get off to a hot start.
Ask Oklahoma and Kansas State how much fun they had struggling to beat the Green Wave. Even with the roster turnover, Jon Sumrall’s team comes to play right out of the gate, so the Wildcats better buckle up for a bumpy ride.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Toughest Game: at Miami, August 31
It was smart of Notre Dame not to schedule a MAC team, though that didn’t seem to hurt their playoff chances last year. Notre Dame’s schedule presents opportunities to strengthen their case for a playoff berth once again, but none are tougher than the first game.
Marcus Freeman’s top priority is to ensure that his team knows that last year’s results mean nothing here. Miami couldn’t care less that the Fighting Irish were in the national championship game, and we’ve seen what can happen when Miami is locked into face Notre Dame (hello 2017).
Ohio Bobcats
Toughest Game: at Buffalo, November 28
Another new head coach takes over the Ohio Bobcats program, but this team expects to be back in the hunt for another MAC title. Quarterback Parker Navarro’s return can make that happen, and the conference schedule is mostly manageable.
The last game of the season could feature two teams that might see each other again in the MAC Championship Game. Buffalo has the talent to make a run, and they could dethrone the Bobcats this year.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Toughest Game: Texas, August 30
Nothing refocuses a team quicker than a big test right off the bat. The Texas Longhorns come to town to battle the Ohio State Buckeyes, and this one could have major implications for the rest of the year.
Julian Sayin takes over for Will Howard, and he’ll need to prove he’s ready for this test. The Longhorns’ defense is stacked with talent, and that will challenge the Buckeyes’ new quarterback.
Oklahoma Sooners
Toughest Game: at South Carolina, October 18
An argument can be made that the Texas or Michigan games are tougher, but we know that Oklahoma will be plenty motivated for both of those games. The toughest game comes right after they face the Longhorns. Why? It tells us their mindset and how they move on from week to week.
Regardless of what happens against the Longhorns, South Carolina will be ready to give the Sooners a challenge. If Oklahoma wins in Dallas, they have to quickly refocus for the Gamecocks. Should they lose, how well can Venables get this team prepared after a disappointing result against a rival?
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Toughest Game: Baylor, September 27
This could be Oklahoma State’s turning point, one way or another. A win would surprise everyone and show that this team can compete again in the Big 12. Losing puts pressure on Mike Gundy to get his team to continue fighting, which is something we didn’t see last year.
Old Dominion Monarchs
Toughest Game: Coastal Carolina, October 4
For clarification, this is not Old Dominion’s toughest opponent, but it is the toughest game because of what comes before it. Trips to Indiana and Virginia Tech, paired with a home game against Liberty, could mean this team is 1-3 heading into October.
They also lost to the Chanticleers last year, one of five games they lost by one score, so this game is a good reminder of how difficult the Sun Belt can be. A better result could set them up for a nice run in the second half of their schedule.
Ole Miss Rebels
Toughest Game: at Georgia, October 18
Without Jaxson Dart, the Lane Kiffin offense will look a little different this year, meaning this team needs time for Austin Simmons to get comfortable. The schedule affords them that luxury outside of LSU early in the year (though that game is at home). Simmons shined early in his time with Ole Miss, and now it’s his offense to run.
First pass in the Rebel uniform goes for a TD @austnsimmons | @Cayden_X_Lee pic.twitter.com/4x1DuWZR2Y
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 1, 2024
Beating Georgia doesn’t happen often, which is why last year’s win was so exciting for the Rebels. Simmons also looked good when thrust into the game, but it won’t be as easy this year. He has new receivers to gel with, and the Bulldogs are going to be a focused and motivated team this year.
Oregon Ducks
Toughest Game: at Penn State, September 27
A perfect regular season was ruined by a poor playoff performance, and Oregon must also now turn to new faces to lead them this year. Quarterback Dante Moore takes over for Dillon Gabriel, and this game has huge implications for both the Ducks and Moore.
Penn State’s defense will be a swarming group once again, and they’re a unit that can ruin a quarterback’s ego. This game’s tough because, while a loss doesn’t ruin their chances, Moore could start getting flashbacks to when Utah ruined his confidence in 2023.
Oregon State Beavers
Toughest Game: at App State, October 4
Oregon State comes off a disappointing year in search of a better finish, but that might be difficult with the schedule they face. They have home games against Cal, Fresno State, and Houston as well as road trips to Texas Tech and Oregon all within the months of August and September.
If they’re already struggling, a cross-country trip to face the Mountaineers provides their biggest challenge. A reeling Beavers squad needs this game to be a win, but that might be tough if the loss column already has three or more tallies.
Penn State Nittany Lions
Toughest Game: at Ohio State, November 1
Until further notice, getting over the Ohio State hump will always be Penn State’s biggest challenge. They also have to face Oregon in September, but this game is the one that could help change the perception of this team and their coach.
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James Franklin returns a team hoping to win it all this year. They are also looking to prove that they can beat the best teams in their own conference. Beating Ohio State keeps them on track for their first goal but accomplishes something equally as satisfying with the second.
Pittsburgh Panthers
Toughest Game: at West Virginia, September 13
This is a tone-setting game for both programs. A win boosts their confidence, while a loss has one team second-guessing its potential. Pitt started strong last year before struggling in the second half of the season. If they want another hot start, they have to win this game.
Purdue Boilermakers
Toughest Game: at Northwestern, October 18
Simply put, there won’t be many games in which the Boilermakers are favored, so winning certain games becomes even more important. Playing Northwestern on the road gives them a tough game, but also requires the Boilermakers to play in a dead environment.
Rice Owls
Toughest Game: at Navy, September 27
Rice somehow found a way to upset Navy last year, holding them to just 10 points. The Midshipmen won’t be that easy to stop this year with all of their returning talent, so the Owls have their work cut out for them.
Scott Abell also takes over as head coach, so he might need some time to get his team sorted out this year.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Toughest Game: at Washington, October 11
I’m not sure what Rutgers did to deserve this schedule, but someone needs to give them a break after this year. The Scarlet Knights have to face Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Ohio State, and Penn State this year. So, picking the toughest game is honestly the dealer’s choice.
Before hosting Oregon, the Scarlet Knights must make a cross-country trip to face a Washington team that could be terrifying. The Huskies have one of the best gameday atmospheres in the sport, which adds another layer of difficulty.
Sam Houston Bearkats
Toughest Game: UNLV, August 30
With this schedule, the excitement surrounding Phil Longo’s return to Sam Houston might take a while to appear. Playing UNLV right off the bat is a challenge, and it doesn’t get easier after that. Hawaii and Texas are up before the Bearkats get into conference play, so it will be a rocky road getting there.
San Diego State Aztecs
Toughest Game: Colorado State, October 4
I believe that if Sean Lewis can win at Kent State, he can win anywhere, especially in California. If his Aztecs team is going to show signs of improvement, they’ll need to do it against a tougher schedule.
Colorado State will be a good measuring stick for this team. It’s a battle to determine which offense will actually be legitimate in 2025, and any struggles could spark concern. The Aztecs will also have to play Fresno State, Hawaii, Boise State, and San Jose State, so Lewis needs to keep his team focused for games like this one.
San Jose State Spartans
Toughest Game: at Stanford, September 27
Ken Niumatalolo’s team doesn’t have to face Boise State this year; however, they’ll have plenty of other teams to face. The trip to Stanford is an intriguing one with the turnover going on in Palo Alto, but the Cardinal are still the more talented team.
Quarterback Walker Eget’s performance early in the season will tell us if this team can compete for a conference title, and will help determine if upsets are possible. A win against the Cardinal would be a huge confidence boost for a team that will need it to win the conference.
SMU Mustangs
Toughest Game: at Clemson, October 18
Baylor, TCU, Syracuse, Miami, and Louisville all appear on the schedule, but the SMU road game against Clemson will be the toughest. The Mustangs’ disappointment at the end of the 2024 season has not diminished, but they now know the level they have to reach — it just might not happen soon.
Rhett Lashlee’s staff has done a great job recruiting in the transfer portal, so there’s confidence within the program. Clemson is tough to beat even in a down year, and the Mustangs now have to add the extra challenge of playing in Death Valley this season.
South Alabama Jaguars
Toughest Game: Tulane, September 6
If not for the transfer portal, this game would have been one of the best of the weekend. South Alabama enters the Bishop Davenport era at quarterback, and his first big test comes against Tulane. While the Green Wave is piecing together their depth chart, the Jaguars will still need to bring their best if they want to win.
South Carolina Gamecocks
Toughest Game: at LSU, October 11
The beginning of their schedule should provide for a fast start, which is a great way for South Carolina to be firing on all cylinders when they travel to Death Valley. Both teams will have their sights set on the College Football Playoff, and the battle of LaNorris Sellers and Garrett Nussmeier provides elite entertainment.
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
Toughest Game: Appalachian State, September 13
Southern Miss welcomed Charles Huff with open arms, and it shouldn’t take long for him to start winning games with the Golden Eagles. That being said, there’s still plenty to fix within this program, so he might have to temper expectations for this game.
Most of the team should be familiar with the Mountaineers, but getting them to elevate their game to beat them will be tough. At worst, this will give Huff a good idea of where his program stands within the conference.
Stanford Cardinal
Toughest Game: at BYU, September 6
This is one of the more unique programs in the country right now. Frank Reich runs the team this year, but what will that mean for buy-in from the roster? Is this a team that will fight for a coach they know is leaving? If not, the trip to BYU could get ugly fast, and the buy-in after that could dip even more.
Syracuse Orange
Toughest Game: vs. Tennessee (in Atlanta), August 30
They surprised us last year, but the Syracuse Orange will have a tougher time doing that again in 2025.
In addition to starting with Tennessee, they also face UConn, Clemson, Duke, and SMU to start the year. Playing the Volunteers in a neutral site will essentially be another road game, so Fran Brown has work to do early this year.
TCU Horned Frogs
Toughest Game: at Arizona State, September 27
An underrated team in the Big 12, the TCU Horned Frogs must prove that they can compete with the best. They get multiple opportunities to do so, and going to Tempe to face the reigning Big 12 champions will be their toughest game.
The Sun Devils return nearly every starter from last year’s team, and the Horned Frogs are searching for new starters. It’s not a great combination, but it’s the path they have if they want to be great.
Temple Owls
Toughest Game: Navy, October 11
KC Keeler knows that he has work to do if he wants to get Temple back on track, and his team will be tested weekly in the AAC. The Navy game will be tough because Keeler and defensive coordinator Brian L. Smith must find a way to get this team to slow down the triple option with a defense that needs time to bond.
Tennessee Volunteers
Toughest Game: Georgia, September 13
Tennessee facing Georgia within the first month feels wrong, and if they’re not careful, it might be a tough one to recover from.
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There probably aren’t many people who think the Vols have a chance in this one, so keeping everyone healthy might be the top priority. New quarterback Joey Aguilar better be prepared, because it could get ugly if he’s not.
Texas Longhorns
Toughest Game: at Georgia, November 15
Texas starts the year at Ohio State, but that’s a game they can recover from if it doesn’t go their way. Would they like to win that? Of course, but a loss in the first game allows you to fix things and get better. Losing to Georgia at the end towards the end of the season doesn’t afford you those luxuries.
Last year, Texas came so close to beating the Bulldogs in the SEC Championship Game, but came up short. They must find another gear to take down the champs, but there are plenty of reasons to believe the Longhorns can do that. Arch Manning is a huge reason why, but this game will test his abilities just like anyone else.
Texas A&M Aggies
Toughest Game: at Notre Dame, September 13
After what we saw last year, this game will become a lot tougher when the Aggies travel to South Bend to face the Irish again. It won’t get any easier, but they’ll have two games against UTSA and Utah State to get some momentum going heading into this matchup.
Can Marcel Reed procure a big win on the road against a title contender? If he finds consistency with his arm, the Aggies have a good chance. If not, the Irish will make life difficult for him all game.
Texas State Bobcats
Toughest Game: at UTSA, September 6
With a new quarterback running the show, the Bobcats most likely aren’t thrilled to face the Roadrunners so early in the season. They also follow this game up with a road trip to Arizona State, so building momentum might come at a premium. A 1-2 start might be tough to recover from, but conference play should be easier.
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Toughest Game: at Utah, September 20
The hype surrounding the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2025 continues to grow, and pretty soon, it will be time for them to live up to the hype. In a Big 12 conference that features multiple contenders, it might be tough to make that happen.
A road trip to Utah will quickly give us an idea of what the Red Raiders are made of early in the season. Winning at Rice-Eccles Stadium isn’t easy, and the Utes will be hungry to bounce back with an upset win over another conference contender.
Toledo Rockets
Toughest Game: at Kentucky, August 30
We know that the MAC slate shouldn’t be overly challenging for the Rockets, as their conference opponents went a combined 41-60 last season. So the toughest game comes in their first contest of the year in Kentucky.
After dominating Mississippi State last year, the Rockets hope to do the same to a reeling Kentucky team. It will be tough for them to surprise bigger teams this year, which also adds to the challenge.
Troy Trojans
Toughest Game: at Texas State, October 11
Troy got worked by the Bobcats last year at home, so a road trip isn’t going to make things any easier. Head coach Gerad Parker has his work cut out for him early in the season with Clemson, Memphis, and Buffalo, but conference play starts with South Alabama and a road trip to San Marcos.
Tulane Green Wave
Toughest Game: Duke, September 13
What will the reception be for Darian Mensah’s return to New Orleans? The former Green Wave quarterback took his talents to Durham, and his Blue Devils come back to face his old team. Jon Sumrall has no ill will towards Mensah, but I’m not sure the fanbase will be as forgiving.
This game is tough because Sumrall has already established that his team can compete with teams in bigger conferences, but the emotions of this game are a challenge, too. Sumrall has his work cut out for him, developing multiple new starters, so it could be a rocky start for his team until that happens.
Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Toughest Game: Navy, September 13
Typically, when these two teams play, the Midshipmen run all over the Golden Hurricane. Throw in that Tre Lamb has to rebuild this roster, and the triple option attack might do whatever it wants in this game.
If Lamb can figure out a way to put a halt to that, then it might be a closer game, but it’s tough to envision that happening at this point.
UAB Blazers
Toughest Game: at Navy, September 6
In the two times (2023 and 2024) these two teams have played, Navy’s averaged 248 yards rushing and won by an average of 24 points. That’s pretty much all you need to know.
UCF Knights
Toughest Game: at Kansas State, September 27
Scott Frost’s return was met with general excitement; however, it might be a while before we see the play on the field return to what it was when he was last in Orlando. Playing Kansas State in September makes for a tough start to the year, and that’s also after hosting North Carolina.
UCLA Bruins
Toughest Game: Utah, August 30
Nico Iamaleava’s first game with the Bruins could be a reality check for him. The Utes are a physical team that could give him flashbacks of the playoff loss to Ohio State last year, and the schedule doesn’t get easier after that.
The Bruins played well towards the end of the year in 2024, but their schedule isn’t as forgiving this season. After facing Utah, they travel to UNLV. Penn State, Nebraska, Indiana, Ohio State, Washington, and USC all appear as well.
UConn Huskies
Toughest Game: at Syracuse, September 6
Playing in the Dome has been tough for any opponent, and that will be true for the UConn Huskies. Jim Mora’s team has the potential to win 10 games this year, but this one will be the toughest of all of them, even with Syracuse going through a transition at multiple positions.
UL-Monroe Warhawks
Toughest Game: at Southern Miss, October 25
The Warhawks surprised us last year, but still finished 5-7. Without that element anymore, beating teams in the Sun Belt makes their quest for a bowl game even tougher. Teams like Southern Miss won’t be as bad as they were last year, so that adds to the challenge. The road schedule for this team is brutal.
UMass Minutemen
Toughest Game: Western Michigan, October 4
Welcome to the MAC, UMass! Hopefully, the conference affiliation will lead to more wins, but we won’t know that until October. Their introduction to the MAC is a Broncos team that surprised the conference last season, and Lance Taylor’s team might have more excitement left in the tank.
UNLV Rebels
Toughest Game: at Boise State, October 18
Beating Boise State isn’t easy, as the Rebels found out twice last year, but beating them on the road makes it even harder. With Dan Mullen taking over as head coach and an influx of talent coming in, the Rebels will need time to sort things out this year. Their schedule gives them a chance to do that outside of UCLA.
The Broncos will be without Ashton Jeanty, but that shouldn’t drastically affect the team’s play. This is still the best team in the conference, and Mullen must find a way to get his team to dethrone the reigning champs.
USC Trojans
Toughest Game: at Illinois, September 27
The final test before their first bye week. USC’s looking to bounce back this year, but traveling to Illinois will give us a glimpse of what’s to come for the Trojans. Going from Los Angeles to Champaign, Illinois, will put this team in unfamiliar territory, but the stadium will be rocking for this one.
USF Bulls
Toughest Game: Boise State, August 28
With Florida and Miami following this one, the Bulls must focus on the Broncos to start the year. So they can’t afford a slow start. Fortunately, they don’t have to stop Ashton Jeanty, but this Broncos team will take it to the Bulls if they’re not careful.
As we assume that the next two games are a loss, this first game because even more important for keeping morale up. The Bulls could compete for a conference title, and this would be a confidence boost to hold them over until they face South Carolina State.
Utah Utes
Toughest Game: at BYU, October 18
At this point in the season, Utah will already face UCLA, Texas Tech, and Arizona State, so their ability to regroup for a rivalry game will be important. Regardless of where either team stands, this game will be intense. It’s on the road, so the Utes must find a way to keep their composure.
Utah State Aggies
Toughest Game: San Jose State, October 18
Bronco Mendenhall has plenty to fix at Utah State before this team can contend in the Mountain West. Hosting San Jose State feels like a tipping point, one way or another, for how this team fares in 2025. A win would give them a big win that they can build upon, but a loss tells fans that it might take more time than expected to get back on track.
UTEP Miners
Toughest Game: Liberty, October 18
UTEP travels to Utah State and Texas early, but they host UT-Martin, UL-Monroe, and Louisiana Tech before Liberty comes to town. So there’s a possibility that they’re 3-2 heading into this game. Will they be able to beat the Flames? Probably not, but no one saw Kennesaw State upsetting the Flames last year either.
UTSA Roadrunners
Toughest Game: at USF, November 18
If everything goes to plan for both sides, the UTSA-USF matchup could be full of fireworks. Both teams have high-ceiling offenses in 2025, which makes this game tough for both sides. The Roadrunners are looking to insert themselves into the AAC title race, and a win late in the season over another contender would be a huge statement.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Toughest Game: at Alabama, October 4
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams made it clear what the Crimson Tide’s intentions were this year. Vanderbilt has the Tide feeling some sort of way after beating them last year, but doing that again on the road won’t be easy. Even with quarterback Diego Pavia’s confidence.
Virginia Cavaliers
Toughest Game: Florida State, September 26
If Tony Elliott’s going to surprise the ACC this year, he’ll need to do it early against teams that no one expects his Cavaliers to beat. Florida State and Louisville are his two options, and the Seminoles are as vulnerable as they’ve ever been. Still, beating them won’t be easy even at their low point.
Virginia Tech Hokies
Toughest Game: vs. South Carolina (in Atlanta), August 31
This game is tough for many reasons, and the Hokies need to figure out how they’re going to stop the Gamecocks’ offense quickly. A loss here escalates the Brent Pry hot seat conversation, too, so this is the toughest game because the only thing that will make the fanbase happy is winning.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Toughest Game: Georgia Tech, September 27
An early conference test against NC State will challenge a team going through plenty of change, but it’s the Yellow Jackets that will be the toughest for Wake Forest. Jake Dickert brings energy and confidence to his new team, but will that be enough to win on the field?
Maybe they can rely on Demond Claiborne to carry the offense for the time being, but the Demon Deacons have to figure out how to stop Haynes King and Jamal Haynes. The schedule isn’t overbearing, but games at home against the Yellow Jackets and SMU aren’t going to be fun.
Washington Huskies
Toughest Game: Ohio State, September 27
If Washington can get through the Apple Cup against Washington State the week before, then this game will be one of the big games of the weekend. Hosting the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes gives the Huskies an opportunity to put their name on the proverbial map.
Much of that hinges on Demond Williams’ development. The Huskies quarterback is electric with the football in his hands, and should give the Buckeyes plenty to defend. Beating this team, though, won’t be easy, even with the departures they sustained.
Washington State Cougars
Toughest Game: Washington, September 20
Jimmy Rogers takes over a Cougars team that is trying to rediscover its identity after Jake Dickert left for Wake Forest.
An early Apple Cup doesn’t sit well with anyone, but it’s the toughest game for the Cougars in many ways. A win here leads them into Mountain West play with momentum, and a loss sends them back to the drawing board.
West Virginia Mountaineers
Toughest Game: at BYU, October 4
While teams coming to Morgantown, West Virginia, sometimes find that trip less fun than anticipated, the Mountaineers could get a taste of their own medicine. Playing in Provo, Utah, elicits the same response from teams, as the Cougars’ home field advantage is the real deal.
Rich Rodriguez hopes to get his team back to what it was when he left, but playing in the Big 12 could delay that this year. They also have a road trip to Kansas and Arizona State that will challenge them, but this one is the toughest on the schedule.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Toughest Game: at Toledo, September 6
Overall, Western Kentucky caught a lot of breaks on its schedule. LSU is the only unwinnable game, and nearly all of the other teams they face had a losing record last year or have a new coach. Which is why Toledo is their toughest test.
The Hilltoppers enter the Maverick McIvor era at quarterback, and the pass catchers will also feature multiple new faces. That combination will need to be up to speed by this game because the Rockets’ secondary has shown it can shut down unprepared passing attacks.
Western Michigan Broncos
Toughest Game: at Miami-OH, October 25
If Lance Taylor wants to surprise the conference again, he’ll need to see his team take another step. The Redhawks came up short last year in the MAC Championship Game, but they’ll still be a yearly contender with Chuck Martin coaching. These are the type of teams that the Broncos must beat if they want to get into the next tier within the conference.
Wisconsin Badgers
Toughest Game: at Michigan, October 4
This could be the game that determines if Luke Fickell’s fate is sealed or not. The schedule is terrible for a coach looking to keep his job, and this game is just the beginning. Depending on how the Badgers look, we could see an interim take over after this week. A win, however, would ease some concerns about this program for the short term.
Wyoming Cowboys
Toughest Game: San Jose State, October 11
Wyoming took some massive hits in the defensive backfield via the transfer portal, so this game could be ugly if they don’t find replacements fast. The Spartans can throw the ball all over the field, and the Cowboys might be hanging on for dear life if they don’t find guys that can cover receivers.
