10 Rivalries That Define the 2025 College Football Season
College football always gains its momentum from a handful of rivalry games, and 2025 is no different. These matchups matter because they influence standings, shape team storylines, and set the tone for the season. Here are ten rivalries that stand out this year and explain why the season looks the way it does.
Texas A&M vs. LSU
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In Baton Rouge, the second half turned into a 35-7 Texas A&M onslaught that flipped the Aggies’ national outlook. The blowout led LSU to fire Brian Kelly the very next day, which set off a wave of changes involving the athletic director and even the state’s governor.
Notre Dame vs. Miami
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Both teams finished 9-2, which kept their playoff cases tangled together. Debates centered on whether Notre Dame’s head-to-head win mattered more than Miami’s stronger overall resume. The matchup, rooted in tensions from the 1980s, regained relevance this year as the committee had to sort through competing arguments rather than simply comparing records.
Virginia vs. North Carolina
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The 130th meeting between these ACC rivals came down to a single inch. In overtime, North Carolina’s two-point conversion try was stopped just before the pylon, which sealed the win for Virginia. The outcome pushed Virginia closer to a postseason berth while leaving North Carolina at risk of missing a bowl.
Oregon vs. USC
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USC hasn’t won in Eugene since 2011, and 2025 didn’t break the streak. Oregon handled business in a College Football Playoff elimination-type game and sent USC packing with a 42-27 loss. Both schools are now in the Big Ten, and this one’s becoming less about past titles and more about controlling the future.
Missouri vs. Kansas
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After more than a decade apart, the Border War resurfaced with renewed relevance. Missouri overcame an early 15-point deficit to take down Kansas 42-31. It didn’t change the postseason for either team, but it proved time away didn’t cool off this animosity. Fans turned out as if it were the 2007 season again.
Harvard vs. Yale
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Normally, the Ivy League stays out of postseason play, but a new rule changed that this year. Yale’s 45–28 win over Harvard secured the league title outright enough to qualify for the FCS tournament. Harvard shared the conference crown, but Yale earned the playoff spot.
Florida State vs. Florida
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Florida entered the game already searching for a new head coach, while Mike Norvell needed a win at FSU to quiet job-security questions. The matchup didn’t affect the playoff picture, but the stakes were still high since the result shaped both programs’ immediate futures and the tone of the offseason.
Indiana vs. Illinois
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Indiana dropped 63 points on Illinois in a game billed as historic for both sides. The Hoosiers quarterback, Fernando Mendoza, went nearly perfect and threw five touchdowns. Illinois looked completely outmatched in what was their second-ever meeting against a ranked team.
Texas vs. Texas A&M
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Arch Manning faced an unbeaten Texas A&M team that was trying to preserve a perfect season. The matchup carried broad implications because funding, prestige, and long-standing campus rivalries continually shape how these schools view each other. The result ultimately felt like a cultural moment as much as a game.
BYU vs. Utah
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Utah came up empty on three fourth-down attempts, including two deep in BYU territory, and those missed chances shifted the game’s direction. BYU took control in the final quarter with two touchdowns and an interception, thus closing out the rivalry with a decisive finish.