Week 0 provided a strong start to the 2025 college football season as Iowa State took down Kansas State in a thriller in Ireland. Now, a full slate of Week 1 games is on tap, and the full announcer schedule is out. The top game of the week is in Columbus as Texas and Ohio […]
Week 0 provided a strong start to the 2025 college football season as Iowa State took down Kansas State in a thriller in Ireland. Now, a full slate of Week 1 games is on tap, and the full announcer schedule is out.
The top game of the week is in Columbus as Texas and Ohio State will square off in a College Football Playoff rematch. It will also have FOX’s top broadcasters in attendance as Gus Johnson and Joel Klatt have the call in the Big Noon Kickoff slot.
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There isn’t a shortage of notable games this week, though, starting with Thursday’s slate and continuing through Bill Belichick’s debut at North Carolina against TCU on Monday. Here is the announcer schedule for notable Week 1 matchups, as compiled by 506Sports.
Nebraska vs. Cincinnati (in Kansas City)
Date/Time: Aug. 28, 9 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Broadcasters: Mark Jones, Roddy Jones
A full night of games awaits Thursday night to get Week 1 officially underway. One of the biggest matchups is at Arrowhead Stadium as Nebraska takes on Cincinnati to start its quest to live up to rising expectations in Matt Rhule’s third season as head coach.
Auburn at Baylor
Date/Time: Aug. 29, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Broadcasters: Jason Benetti, Robert Griffin III
All told, there are 11 games waiting Friday night, but one of the biggest is in Waco. Auburn is facing a big year for head coach Hugh Freeze and will face a tall task against a Baylor team generating some buzz this year. The matchup will also mark Bears legend Robert Griffin III’s debut for FOX, alongside Jason Benetti.
Georgia Tech at Colorado
Date/Time: Aug. 29, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Broadcasters: Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek
It’s shaping up to be an interesting year at Colorado as Deion Sanders’ team turns the page after Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter’s departures. The Buffs will once again get a primetime slot on ESPN as they open the year against an intriguing Georgia Tech team with Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek on the call.
Syracuse at Tennessee (in Atlanta)
Date/Time: Aug. 30, Noon ET
Channel: ABC
Broadcasters: Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick
Saturday’s noon slate is jam-packed, giving fans an early treat to start the year. Tennessee will get things underway from Atlanta with its new quarterback, Joey Aguilar, leading the charge against a Syracuse that had a strong debut season under Fran Brown. It will be the first game of ABC’s tripleheader with Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick on the call for their first game of the weekend.
Texas at Ohio State
Date/Time: Aug. 30, Noon ET
Channel: FOX
Broadcasters: Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt
The biggest game of the week – perhaps one of the biggest of the year – will get Saturday’s schedule started in Columbus as Texas takes on Ohio State. Both College GameDay and Big Noon Kickoff will be in attendance as both programs unveil new full-time starters in Arch Manning and Julian Sayin. For FOX, it could turn into a ratings bonanza, especially now that a short-term deal is in place with YouTube TV.
Alabama at Florida State
Date/Time: Aug. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Broadcasters: Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer
Year 2 of the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama will start in Tallahassee for an anticipated matchup against Florida State. There’s been plenty of chatter between the two sides, and it will all come to ahead at Doak Walker Stadium on Saturday afternoon with Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer on the call for ABC.
LSU at Clemson
Date/Time: Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Broadcasters: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit
Clemson vs. LSU will anchor the primetime slate on Saturday as two contenders get ready to square off. Dabo Swinney’s group is coming off an ACC title in 2024 and will look to repeat, while Brian Kelly and Co. will try to end their struggles in season openers while cementing themselves as a possible title team. ABC’s lead team of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe will have the call.
Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina (in Atlanta)
Date/Time: Aug. 31, 3 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Broadcasters: Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick
Two standalone college football games will take place Sunday, starting with South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech. The game will have special meaning for Shane Beamer – whose father, Frank, coached in Blacksburg during his decorated career. It will also mark Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick’s second Week 1 game in the booth.
Notre Dame at Miami
Date/Time: Aug. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Broadcasters: Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy
Sunday night will see an old rivalry renewed as Notre Dame and Miami square off at Hard Rock Stadium. Both programs are beginning new chapters at quarterback with redshirt freshman CJ Carr jumping under center for the Fighting Irish and Carson Beck – the No. 1-ranked transfer this cycle – taking over the Hurricanes’ offense. ESPN’s No. 2 broadcast booth of Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy and Molly McGrath will have the call for ABC.
TCU at North Carolina
Date/Time: Sept. 1, 8 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Broadcasters: Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit
A standalone Monday night game will see one of football’s all-time great coaches make his college debut. Bill Belichick and his overhauled North Carolina roster will welcome TCU to kick off a new era in Chapel Hill. Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit will have the call for ESPN while Chris Fowler fulfills his duties at the U.S. Open.
Week 1 Announcer Schedule: More notable games
Boise State vs. USF (Aug. 28, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) – Matt Barrie, Tom Luginbill
Nevada at Penn State (Aug. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) – Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson
Marshall at Georgia (Aug. 30, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) – Mike Monaco, Kirk Morrison
New Mexico at Michigan (Aug. 30, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) – Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge
Hawaii at Arizona (Aug. 30, 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT) – JB Long, Mike Golic Jr.
Utah at UCLA (Aug. 30, 11 p.m. ET, FOX) – Connor Onion, Mark Helfrich
At long last, the 2025 college football season is off and running. With five days of football on the docket, it’s shaping up to be a strong start to a year filled with storylines.
Category: General Sports
