Late April to early May is usually the time to start thinking about the college football season. We’re a little early to start a player analysis, but it’s time for a deep dive into the schedule we’re looking especially in the out-of-conference. We‘ll also be looking at the in-ACC conference games shortly after.
Games 1 – 5
6) Clemson vs South Carolina – November 29, 2025
The Clemson vs South Carolina rivalry is one where Clemson has dominated things with a 73-44-4 overall record. Domination recently? Not so much. South Carolina has won two of the last three games with Clemson. Both wins for South Carolina were at Clemson and were gut-wrenching losses for the Tigers to the Gamecocks. Coming into the season, this game should feature two of the best QBs in all of college football with Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellars. This game could feature two teams in playoff contention.
7) Pittsburgh vs West Virginia – September 13, 2025
Let me just say, I love the Backyard Brawl. This is such a good regional rivalry, and it’s a shame the series, after 4 years is coming to an end for the time being. It is scheduled to start again in 2029. So enjoy it while you can. Pittsburgh’s season collapsed in the 2nd half of the year in 2024, frustrating Pitt fans. One way for Pat Narduzzi to get back in Pitt fans’ good graces is to win this game
8) Florida State vs Alabama – August 30, 2025
In most years, a Florida State vs Alabama game would be a top 2 or 3 OOC matchup for an ACC team. Florida State vs Alabama is still a big game, but I just can’t work the interest up in this game over several others on the list. Florida State was absolutely dreadful last year. They were the worst team in the ACC. Alabama just missed the playoffs. On paper, this is a total mismatch, but if FSU, playing at home, can somehow steal a W, it could kick start their season into something truly special. With the retirement of Lee Corso, there’s a chance Gameday could be there to celebrate the media legend and former FSU player.
9) Georgia Tech vs Colorado – August 29, 2025
Georgia Tech’s HC Brent Key has rebuilt the Jackets into a respectable program following the debacle of the Geoff Collin’s era. With the return of QB Haynes King and RB Jamal Haynes, Georgia Tech has two of the top 15 offensive players in the country at their position. There are whispers of ACC and playoff contention going into the season. Deion Sanders has done a great job himself at Colorado, and this game has a level of preseason interest nobody saw coming a couple of years back. If the Jackets can pull off this win in Boulder, expectations for the season will elevate in a hurry.
10) SMU vs TCU – September 20, 2025
SMU vs TCU has always been a great rivalry, but with both at the P4 level now, there is even more meaning to the game. Last year’s win for SMU over TCU helped get SMU into the playoff as an at-large selection. They’ve met over 100 times, and the two Dallas metro teams could again have playoff implications on the line, as they play for the Iron Skillet. This is an underrated rivalry that people should be paying more attention to.
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