Joel Klatt picks 10 games that will shape the 2025 college football season

Each college football season, there’s a bevy of games that shape the College Football Playoff, separating the good teams from the great ones. Joel Klatt picked the 10 showdowns he believes mean the most in 2025.

There’s a ton of interesting matchups this year. While each one means everything to the contenders in the sport, there’s certainly a couple games that are just a little more valuable. Littered throughout the schedule, it’s positive there’s no shortage of awesome clashes set up.

Check out Klatt’s 10 picks below, via The Joel Klatt Show. Starting with Week 1, he’s kicking off his list with two marquee matchups in Texas at Ohio State and LSU at Clemson on Aug. 30. That shows you how high the bar is here.

Texas at Ohio State, Aug. 30

You can’t go wrong with a College Football Playoff rematch to start the season. Texas will take their show on the road to Columbus for arguably the biggest game of the season in Week 1, as Ohio State will celebrate their national title in front of the Longhorns.

Arch Manning will be hoping to start his campaign towards being the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While either team can survive a loss in this one, a win would be a major bargaining chip come time to seed the 12-team CFP, considering both are major contenders once again.

LSU at Clemson, Aug. 30

LSU and Clemson are as similar as they are different, and that’s not just because they’re both Tigers. Brian Kelly and Dabo Swinney both believe they have what it takes in 2025 to bring their teams back to national glory.

With veteran quarterbacks on both sides of the football, this is going to be a barn burner. As it pertains to the College Football Playoff, a loss could potentially sink either team. A win in this one could get them off the bubble and into the dance. It’ll be fascinating to see which veteran coach gets the job done.

Michigan at Oklahoma, Sept. 6

A bit of an unorthodox matchup between two teams that disappointed in 2024. You can throw the book out though, as Michigan and Oklahoma aren’t looking backwards ahead of 2025.

Both squads look majorly different. That’s especially true for the Sooners, as Brent Venables might be coaching for his job. A loss to the Wolverines wouldn’t help his case, especially if Sherrone Moore misses the contest.

Texas A&M at Notre Dame, Sept. 13

A rematch of last season’s contest. Notre Dame won that one, but Texas A&M gave them a major fight. Now, the Aggies are out for revenge.

Like many teams on this list, both squads have College Football Playoff aspirations. The Fighting Irish came oh-so-close last season to a national title. They’ll be expected to take another leap in 2025, and beating the Aggies again would help them do that.

Oregon at Penn State, Sept. 27

Oregon and Penn State did battle last season in the Big Ten title game. It was a memorable showdown, where the Ducks stood victorious, their final moment of triumph before losing their first College Football Playoff game.

Now, Dan Lanning’s squad is looking to go on a revenge tour in 2025. A trip to Happy Valley provides an opportunity to make another statement. However, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions won’t simply lay down.

USC at Illinois, Sept. 27

One of the more underrated games on Klatt’s list. USC’s resume speaks for itself, but many are predicting Illinois could be this season’s iteration of Indiana.

Beating the Trojans will be paramount to their resume if that’s going to be the case. Lincoln Riley’s team needs a bounce-back season, and their defense has made strides — this could be an all-out war between two of the Big Ten’s best.

Alabama at Georgia, Sept. 27

Who could forget Ryan Williams‘ spin-move that won Alabama the game last season against Georgia? Any time these two teams matchup, some magic is made, and 2024 was no different.

As 2025 rolls around, the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs are two of the favorites once again in all of the sport. They’re standing in each other’s way though. Kirby Smart and company will be looking for some revenge this time around.

Penn State at Ohio State, Nov. 1

James Franklin needs to beat Ohio State like humans need air to breathe. Each season, it seems like more and more experts pick Penn State to surpass the Buckeyes, and it doesn’t come to fruition.

He’s never had a better shot than he’ll have this season. With Drew Allar back in tow, if all goes according to plan, the Nittany Lions will be feeling the pressure. We’ll see if it makes a diamond, or if they falter once again at Ryan Day’s feet.

LSU at Alabama, Nov. 8

A classic showdown that’ll once again shape the College Football Playoff. While LSU and Alabama are usually major contenders each season, a loss on Nov. 8 could doom the championship hopes of either squad.

It remains to be seen where they stand all the way in November, but both squads figure to be squarely in the mix. Brian Kelly and Kalen DeBoer should have their teams ready for a highly-anticipated battle as the weather turns in 2025.

Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 29

You can’t make a list of the best games on college football’s schedule with The Game. Despite all their shortcomings in 2024, Michigan still found a way to beat Ohio State, the major blemish on their championship season.

The Buckeyes got their title, and now beating Michigan might be more important than repeating. That’s how much hatred is there. We’ll see if Ryan Day can exercise his demons and go into Ann Arbor and get some revenge this coming season.