College Football Top 25 Week 3 2025 Predictions, Betting Odds & TV Schedule
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College football schedule, games 2025: What to watch in Week 2, TV channels, Saturday kickoff times
No. 11 Illinois takes on Duke in the first game of the week. No. 15 Michigan takes on No. 18 Oklahoma in a prime-time game. The Border Showdown returns to the gridiron for the first time since 2011. There’s also a couple of intriguing rivalries featured during the Week 2 slate.. Here’s a viewer’s guide to help you navigate through the Week Two action. The best games are on ESPN2, FuboTV (Try for free) and CBS Sports App (Free, Paramount+ with Showtime) and on CBS Sports Network (Free), CBSSports.com (Free) and The CW (Free). The worst games on the schedule are on ABC, ESPN2 and CBSSports Network ( free, Paramount+) and on The CW Network (free, The CW) and the CW (free) (Saturday, Saturday, Sunday, 9 a.m. ET) and NBC (Sunday, 9 p.m.) (Monday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Friday)
That doesn’t mean it entirely lacks intriguing matchups. College Football Playoff competitors like No. 11 Illinois have to travel to face off against tough Power Four competition, while Saturday’s prime-time game between No. 15 Michigan and No. 18 Oklahoma pits two of the sport’s most iconic brands against one another.
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There’s also a couple of intriguing rivalries featured during the Week 2 slate, one of which includes a ranked Big 12 contender in No. 16 Iowa State.
College football Week 2 storylines: Gundy’s lame money excuse, Oklahoma’s must-win, Border War’s return John Talty
Which games should you actually pay attention to as the season rolls on? Here’s a viewer’s guide to help you navigate through the Week 2 action.
All times Eastern
The best games
No. 11 Illinois at Duke — noon on ESPN, FuboTV (Try for free): This is the most hyped Illinois team maybe ever. The Fighting Illini are right in the thick of the College Football Playoff race thanks to an experienced roster, featuring quarterback Luke Altmyer. This will be Illinois’ first real test of the year, though. Duke is trying to establish itself as a legitimate competitor in the top-heavy ACC behind the arm of new quarterback Darian Mensah, who had 389 yards and three touchdowns passing in his Blue Devil debut.
Iowa at No. 16 Iowa State — noon on Fox, FuboTV (Try for free): Few college football rivalries are as tightly contested as the annual battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy — especially in recent years. Five games since 2017 have been decided by one possession. Iowa State snapped a six-game losing skid in 2022 and has won two of the last three. Don’t expect a ton of scoring. The Cyclones and the Hawkeyes have eclipsed 40 points just once over the past six seasons.
Oklahoma State at No. 6 Oregon — 3:30 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free), Paramount+ with Showtime: In most years, this would be an intriguing non-conference matchup between two legitimate conference title competitors. But Oklahoma State is in a bit of slump as it embarks on Year 21 under coach Mike Gundy. To make matters worse, the Cowboys will be without starting quarterback Hauss Hejny against the Ducks — and beyond — as he recovers from a broken foot suffered in Week 1. As Oregon’s ranking may suggest, the Ducks have not slipped with Dan Lanning leading the way.
Kansas at Missouri — 3:30 p.m. on ESPN2, FuboTV (Try for free): The Border Showdown has returned to the gridiron. For the first time since 2011, Kansas and Missouri are set to face off in football. The Jayhawks and the Tigers used to play annually when they were both members of the Big 12, but Missouri’s 2012 move to the SEC put the rivalry series on ice. Until now. This represents the first of two consecutive games from 2025-26. The two universities have also agreed to play again in 2031 and 2032.
No. 15 Michigan at No. 18 Oklahoma — 7:30 p.m. on ABC, FuboTV (Try for free): The only ranked matchup in Week 2 also happens to feature two of college football’s most iconic brands. Michigan and Oklahoma are also trying to improve off of down seasons in 2024. It will be a tough test for the Wolverines, as they will be starting true freshman Bryce Underwood at quarterback for the Sooners. Oklahoma coach Brent Venables is 21-5 against freshman quarterbacks (redshirt and true), dating back to his first season as Clemson’s defensive coordinator.
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Best of the rest
Virginia at NC State — noon on ESPN2, FuboTV (Try for free)
Liberty at Jacksonville State — noon on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Baylor at No. 17 SMU — noon on The CW Network, FuboTV (Try for free)
No. 20 Ole Miss at Kentucky — 3:30 p.m. on ABC, FuboTV (Try for free)
UAB at Navy — 3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
West Virginia at Ohio — 4 p.m. on ESPNU, FuboTV (Try for free)
South Florida at No. 13 Florida — 4:15 p.m. on SEC Network, FuboTV (Try for free)
Army at Kansas State — 7 p.m. on ESPN, FuboTV (Try for free)
No. 12 Arizona State at Mississippi State — 7:30 p.m. ESPN2, FuboTV (Try for free)
Vanderbilt at Virginia Tech — 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network, FuboTV (Try for free)
UCLA at UNLV — 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Stanford at BYU — 10:15 p.m. on ESPN, FuboTV (Try for free)
College football picks: Predictions against the spread, odds, betting lines for top 25 games in Week 2
No. 6 Oregon faces Oklahoma State on CBS. No. 20 Ole Miss also faces its first test at Kentucky. The day closes with a headliner between No. 15 Michigan and No. 18 Oklahoma. Visit SportsLine now to see all the picks, all from the model that went 27-16 last season on top-rated money-line and over/under picks. The picks are based on the model’s proven computer model, which simulated every Week 2 game 10,000 times and returned a perfect score of 9-0. The model is based on an analysis of the data from the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee, as well as the 2014-15 season statistics from both the NCAA and the Conference USA Football Oversight Council. For more college football news, visit CNN.com/Collegefootball and follow us on Twitter @cnnfootball and @fuboaf and on Facebook and Instagram. For all the latest from the college football season, check out the CNN iReport channel, or click here.
Iowa opened with an easy 34-7 win over Albany but showed little progress in the passing game. Now comes a rivalry test at No. 16 Iowa State, which is looking for its third win in four years over the Hawkeyes.
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The afternoon slate brings a step up in competition for No. 6 Oregon, hosting Oklahoma State on CBS. New starter Dante Moore was efficient in a rout of Montana State, but facing a Big 12 defense is a different challenge. No. 20 Ole Miss also faces its first test at Kentucky, where the Rebels seek payback for a deflating 2024 home loss.
The day closes with a headliner between No. 15 Michigan and No. 18 Oklahoma, meeting for the first time since the 1976 Orange Bowl. Both teams were victorious but flawed in Week 1, and both will learn plenty about their new quarterbacks in Saturday night’s showdown.
Iowa vs. No. 16 Iowa State
Noon | Fox, fubo (Try for free) — Laying a field goal in what could be another low-scoring rivalry game is frightening, especially when matchups between Iowa and Iowa State often come down to special teams. The questionable start to Gronowski’s tenure in the Hawkeyes offense is spooky, but it is not as though Iowa thrived at the quarterback spot in past Cy-Hawk wins. And if any defense can neutralize a red-hot quarterback like Becht, Phil Parker’s group is always a good pick to do so. With those factors and the five-game winning streak for road teams in this series in mind, I like Iowa against the spread and will be bracing for another slobberknocker like last year’s 20-19 Cyclones win. — Carter Bahns
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SportsLine’s proven computer model has simulated every Week 2 college football game 10,000 times. Visit SportsLine now to see all the picks, all from the model that went 27-16 last season on top-rated money-line and over/under picks.
No. 21 Ole Miss vs. Kentucky
3:30 p.m. | Fox, fubo (Try for free) — The last four matchups in this SEC series have all been decided by three points or less, including a pair of shootouts in the Bluegrass. There’s not an analytical edge here, but Stoops’ program seems to get up for this matchup more than a few others in the conference and coming off last season’s victory over the Rebels, already knows a double-digit spread doesn’t mean much. Simmons had two giveaways in the opener, so he’ll need to trim those mistakes to win on the road. Ole Miss wins this one, but Kentucky covers. — Brad Crawford
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No. 6 Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
3:30 p.m. | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free), Paramount+ with Showtime — Oklahoma State responded to last year’s 3-9 collapse by flipping 65 scholarship players. More than 30 newcomers only arrived over the summer, giving the Cowboys one of the most overhauled rosters in the country. The debut was uneven, especially after quarterback Hauss Hejny went down with a foot injury, but there is plenty of athletic upside in the new group. Still, Oregon is bigger, faster, stronger and better at every position than the depleted Cowboys and should be able to win in every phase. The Ducks roll at Autzen and re-establish themselves as a top national contender. — Shehan Jeyarajah
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No. 16 Michigan vs. No. 18 Oklahoma
7:30 p.m. | ABC, (Try for free) — Oklahoma and its new quarterback, John Mateer, are in for a rude awakening against Michigan’s defense after struggling to run the football against Illinois State in Week 1. Similarly, the Wolverines and their freshman star QB Bryce Underwood are walking into an absolute hornet’s nest. The Palace on the Prairie will be next-level electric, and the Sooners’ loaded front seven is going to wreak some havoc. It should take both offenses some time to get settled, and touchdowns will be difficult for both teams to find in what’s shaping up to be a defensive slugfest. — David Cobb
Tom Fornelli Chip Patterson Brandon Marcello John Talty Richard Johnson Shehan Jeyarajah David Cobb Brad Crawford Chris Hummer OU -5.5 Michigan Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Michigan Oklahoma Michigan SU Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma
SportsLine’s proven computer model has simulated every Week 2 college football game 10,000 times. Visit SportsLine now to see all the picks, all from the model that went 27-16 last season on top-rated money-line and over/under picks.
Watch Michigan State football vs Boston College: Channel, streaming and odds
Michigan State faces Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on NBC, with streaming available on Fubo and Peacock. The Spartans played the Eagles in 2024 heading into their game at Boston College 3-0, but lost a tight game 23-19 as the start of a three-game losing streak right before the beginning of Big Ten play. Michigan State has one more game before their Big Ten schedule starts, against Youngstown State on Sept. 13. The pick: MSU 20, Boston College 14. The over/under total: 45½. The line: Boston College -200, Michigan State +165. The betting line: Michigan State -200,. Boston College +165, Michigan -200. The odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday morning. The full Michigan State football schedule is available at the bottom of this article.
Michigan State (1-0) hosts the Boston College Eagles (1-0) on Saturday, Sept. 6, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff scheduled to air on NBC. The Spartans played the Eagles in 2024 heading into their game at Boston College 3-0, but lost a tight game 23-19 as the start of a three-game losing streak right before the beginning of Big Ten play.
And though the Spartans have one more game (against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 13) before their Big Ten schedule starts, figuring out a Boston College program they are 1-5 against historically could be a jumping-off point for coach Jonathan Smith and the Spartans.
Here’s what you need to know about Michigan State’s upcoming home matchup.
When is Michigan State playing?
After beginning their 2025 season on a Friday, the Spartans return to Saturday play, facing off in a Week 2 matchup against the Boston College Eagles on Saturday.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 6.
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET.
Location: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing.
How to watch Michigan State vs Boston College
Saturday’s Michigan State game will be broadcasted on NBC, with streaming available on Fubo and Peacock.
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET.
Channel: NBC.
Streaming: Peacock, Fubo.
Radio: WJR-AM 760 (Detroit).
Michigan State vs Boston College TV announcers
Play-by-play: Noah Eagle.
Color: Todd Blackledge.
After calling last week’s Michigan vs New Mexico game, Noah Eagle and Todd Blackledge will be staying in the state to call the Michigan State game against Boston College.
Michigan State vs Boston College betting odds
Spread: MSU by 4½.
Over/under total: 45½.
Moneyline: MSU -200, Boston College +165.
All odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday morning.
Chris Solari’s Michigan State football prediction vs Boston College
Chiles and the offense open things up more in the passing game, but the Eagles’ defense proves stout against the run for much of the evening. MSU gets key defensive stops again against QB Dylan Lonergan, and Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis help to grind out a revenge win in the fourth quarter as the offensive line flexes its improved depth and strength. The pick: MSU 20, Boston College 14.
Michigan State football schedule 2025
Week 1: W, 23-6 vs Western Michigan.
W, 23-6 vs Western Michigan. Week 2: vs Boston College, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC).
vs Boston College, Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC). Week 3: vs Youngstown State, Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network).
vs Youngstown State, Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network). Week 4: at USC, Sept. 20, time TBA.
at USC, Sept. 20, time TBA. Week 5: BYE.
BYE. Week 6: at Nebraska, Oct. 4, time TBA.
at Nebraska, Oct. 4, time TBA. Week 7: vs UCLA, Oct. 11, noon (channel TBA).
vs UCLA, Oct. 11, noon (channel TBA). Week 8: at Indiana, Oct. 18, time TBA.
at Indiana, Oct. 18, time TBA. Week 9: vs Michigan, Oct. 25, time TBA.
vs Michigan, Oct. 25, time TBA. Week 10: at Minnesota, Nov. 1, time TBA.
at Minnesota, Nov. 1, time TBA. Week 11: BYE.
BYE. Week 12: vs Penn State, Nov. 15, TBA.
vs Penn State, Nov. 15, TBA. Week 13: at Iowa, Nov. 22, time TBA.
at Iowa, Nov. 22, time TBA. Week 14 vs Maryland, Nov. 29, time TBA (game at Ford Field).
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com
How to watch Akron at Nebraska: TV channel and streaming options for September 6
The Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-0) host the Akron Zips (0-1) at Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE) on Saturday, September 6, 2025. Nebraska has averaged 10.0 more points this season (20.0) than Akron has allowed (10.0).
How to watch Akron Zips at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Akron vs. Nebraska odds
Odds provided by BetMGM.
Stats to know
Nebraska has averaged 10.0 more points this season (20.0) than Akron has allowed (10.0).
The Nebraska offense has racked up 71.0 fewer yards than the Akron defense has surrendered this season (355.0 to 426.0).
Akron racks up 17.0 fewer points per game (0.0) than Nebraska allows (17.0).
Akron averages 228.0 yards per game, 43.0 fewer yards than the 271.0 Nebraska allows.
This watch guide was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Photo: Jonathan Bachman, Tim Warner, Kevin C. Cox, Eakin Howard / Getty Images
Where to watch Alabama vs. ULM: TV channel, kickoff time, odds, prediction for Crimson Tide’s bounce-back game
No. 21 Alabama returns to the field against a somewhat familiar nonconference foe. The Crimson Tide are looking to bounce back after their season-opening 31-17 loss to previously unranked Florida State. This will be the fifth meeting all time between Alabama and ULM after the two first met on the field 19 years ago. ULM coach Bryant Vincent will also serve as interim athletic director while the university searches for a more permanent replacement for John Hartwell in the wake of his retirement. The Tide hold a 3-1 record in previous contests and, most recently, beat the Warhawks 63-7 in 2022. Alabama rights the ship Saturday with a comfortable win. Pick: Alabama -37.5 (-106)
The Seminoles climbed all the way to No. 14 in the AP Top 25 following their upset of the Crimson Tide, while Alabama plummeted 13 spots from No. 8 to its lowest ranking in 17 years. Second-year coach Kalen DeBoer has now lost four games against unranked opponents — more than Nick Saban had in his last 16 seasons as Alabama’s coach — and is 4-5 against Alabama’s last nine FBS opponents.
ULM, meanwhile, opened its season with a 29-0 home win against Saint Francis. This will be the fifth meeting all time between Alabama and ULM after the two first met on the field 19 years ago. The Crimson Tide hold a 3-1 record in previous contests and, most recently, beat the Warhawks 63-7 in 2022.
Where to watch Alabama vs. ULM live
Date: Saturday, Sept. 6 | Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium — Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: SEC Network | Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
Alabama vs. ULM: Need to know
Ryan Williams not expected to return: Alabama took an additional blow in Week 1 when star wide receiver Ryan Williams exited the Florida State loss with a concussion. He has been in concussion protocol all week, and his status for the ULM game is reportedly doubtful. DeBoer previously said that Williams is considered “day-to-day,” as is often the case with head injuries. Alabama would certainly like to get him back for its Week 3 showdown against Wisconsin.
2007 fresh in the mind: Vibes are extremely low in Tuscaloosa following the disaster that was Week 1. So low, in fact, that seeing ULM on the schedule brings to mind the 2007 season — Saban’s first with the Crimson Tide. A ranked Alabama team lost to unranked Florida State in September of that year. Then came Alabama’s infamous November loss to the Warhawks. That very loss served as the catalyst for Alabama’s emergence as a juggernaut under Saban. Maybe the same reversal of fortunes can happen for DeBoer, though Alabama fans could hardly stomach another defeat.
Vincent in unique role at ULM: ULM coach Bryant Vincent is much more than a football coach. ULM announced in August that Vincent will also serve as interim athletic director while the university searches for a more permanent replacement for John Hartwell in the wake of his retirement. It’s rare, but not entirely unprecedented, for a coach to serve as an administrator at the same time. Former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley worked as athletic director and coach at Louisiana Tech from 2008-10.
Alabama vs. ULM prediction, pick
Alabama’s loss to Florida State can achieve one of two things: either it can light a fire under the Crimson Tide and provide significant motivation to never lose like that again (a la 2007 Alabama), or it will derail DeBoer’s tenure and send the Tide spiraling down the drain. Odds are, given the talent on the roster and DeBoer’s recruiting chops, Alabama will be just fine. Alabama rights the ship Saturday with a comfortable win. Pick: Alabama -37.5 (-106)