
Introduction
Few sporting traditions are as beloved in the United States as college football. Every fall, millions of fans eagerly look up the college football schedule to see when their favorite teams play, who their rivals will face, and which matchups dominate national headlines. Whether it’s college football games today, college football games this weekend, or looking ahead to the college football schedule 2025, the rhythm of the sport revolves around dates, rivalries, and anticipation.
In this in-depth article, we’ll break down how the cfb schedule is built, why Week 0 college football is so unique, where to find out what college football games are on today, and how the future of scheduling could look in the new era of expanded playoffs and conference realignment.
1. Understanding the College Football Schedule
1.1 How the Schedule Works
Every year, college football programs release a detailed cfb schedule months in advance. These schedules typically include:
- Non-conference games: Often played early in the season, sometimes against smaller schools (known as “cupcake games”) or marquee opponents.
- Conference games: The heart of the college football schedule, where rivalries and championship races are decided.
- Bye weeks: Rest weeks built into the schedule to prevent fatigue.
Unlike the NFL’s standardized schedule, college football’s system is chaotic by design. With 133 FBS teams spread across conferences, no two college football schedules look exactly the same.

1.2 Flex Scheduling and TV Influence
Television networks have enormous influence on college football on TV today. Kickoff times are often adjusted for primetime viewership, and marquee games may be “flexed” to highlight playoff implications. For fans asking, “what college football games are on today?” the answer often depends on broadcast agreements with ESPN, Fox, CBS, NBC, and streaming services.
2. College Football Games Today
On any given Saturday in the fall, there are dozens of college football games today across the country. Fans can check official college football schedule today listings on ESPN, NCAA.com, or conference websites.
2.1 NCAA Football Today
NCAA football today is more than just sports—it’s tradition. When fans type in “college games today” or “cfb games today,” they’re not only looking for scores. They want:
- Matchup previews
- Rankings implications
- Player storylines
- TV channels for college football on TV today
A typical Saturday can feature early afternoon kickoffs, a loaded primetime slate, and even late-night West Coast games.
2.2 Big Matchups on Saturdays
High-profile cfb games often decide playoff spots. For example, an Alabama vs. Georgia game or Ohio State vs. Michigan showdown dominates the cfb schedule and draws national attention.
3. College Football Games This Weekend
3.1 Why Weekends Define the Sport
College football is synonymous with Saturdays. Fans plan tailgates, reunions, and watch parties around college football games this weekend. From early Week 0 college football games to late November rivalry clashes, the weekend slate is central to the sport’s culture.
3.2 Highlighting Rivalry Week
The last weekend of November—“Rivalry Week”—is the most famous part of the college football schedule. Fans eagerly await games like:
- Michigan vs. Ohio State
- Auburn vs. Alabama (Iron Bowl)
- Oklahoma vs. Texas (Red River Rivalry)
- Army vs. Navy (played after the regular season)
Each of these matchups becomes the centerpiece of college football on TV today when the time comes.

4. Week 0 College Football
4.1 What is Week 0?
Before the official Week 1, the NCAA schedules an opening slate known as college football Week 0. These games, while fewer in number, draw massive attention because fans are starved for football after the offseason.
4.2 Famous Week 0 Matchups
Recent Week 0 college football games have featured powerhouses traveling abroad or facing unusual opponents, often in neutral-site stadiums. The intrigue of week 0 college football lies in its exclusivity—fewer games mean more national spotlight.
5. College Football Schedule Today: How Fans Keep Track
Fans searching “college football schedule today” want real-time updates. Modern technology makes this easier than ever:
- Apps like ESPN, CBS Sports, and Yahoo provide instant alerts.
- Streaming platforms like Peacock, ESPN+, and Hulu Live list college football on TV today options.
- Social media delivers breaking news about injuries, weather delays, or last-minute schedule changes.
6. What College Football Games Are On Today?
When fans ask “what college football games are on today?” they’re often looking for:
- A complete list of matchups
- Kickoff times
- TV channels
- Betting lines and odds
National broadcasters promote the biggest games, but local fans also follow mid-major programs and FCS schools that rarely get primetime slots.
7. CFB Games: The Breadth of the Season
7.1 Daily Variety
While Saturdays are the centerpiece, cfb games also take place on Thursdays, Fridays, and even Wednesdays later in the season. “MACtion,” for example, refers to Mid-American Conference games played on Tuesdays for TV exposure.
7.2 Why CFB Games Matter
Every one of the cfb games can impact rankings, bowl eligibility, and playoff chances. A surprising upset on a Wednesday night can send shockwaves through the national picture.
8. The 2025 College Football Schedule
8.1 What’s Different About 2025?
The college football schedule 2025 will be historic. For the first time, the College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams, making the schedule more competitive than ever. Non-conference games, strength of schedule, and midseason matchups will matter more than in the four-team playoff era.
8.2 Conference Realignment and Scheduling Impact
The college football schedule 2025 will also reflect massive realignment:
- Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC
- USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington joining the Big Ten
- The Pac-12’s reshaping
These moves will change which college football games this weekend dominate TV and national coverage.
8.3 Future Rivalries and Matchups
Fans already speculate about blockbuster cfb games like Texas vs. Alabama, USC vs. Michigan, and Oregon vs. Ohio State becoming regular features of the cfb schedule.
9. College Football on TV Today
Television coverage is the lifeblood of the sport. Networks tailor their programming to maximize exposure:
- Noon ET slot: Big Ten and ACC games
- 3:30 PM ET slot: SEC on CBS, Big 12 showdowns
- Primetime (7:30/8 PM ET): Game of the Week (often SEC or Big Ten)
- Late Night (10:30 PM ET): Pac-12 After Dark
For fans searching “college football on TV today”, broadcast guides are essential to find kickoff times and channels.

10. Why the College Football Schedule Matters So Muc
The beauty of the college football schedule lies in its unpredictability. Unlike pro sports, one loss can derail a season, making every game critical. Fans track:
- cfb games today for immediate excitement
- college football games this weekend for planning tailgates and watch parties
- college football schedule 2025 for long-term anticipation
Every matchup, whether in week 0 college football or late November, plays a role in shaping the playoff race.
Conclusion
The college football schedule is more than a list of games—it’s the heartbeat of the sport. From college football games today to college football games this weekend, from the unique flavor of week 0 college football to the seismic changes of the college football schedule 2025, fans follow every detail with unmatched passion.
Whether you’re asking “what college football games are on today?”, checking the college football schedule today for primetime action, or circling rivalry dates on the calendar, one thing is certain: Saturdays in the fall belong to college football.
The sport’s traditions, rivalries, and future expansions ensure that cfb games today will always matter, and the schedule will remain the guiding force behind America’s favorite fall pastime.