The 2025 college football season kicks down the front door with a series of marquee non-conference games in Week 1, starting with a high-profile pairing of two of the top teams from the Big Ten and SEC.

That would defending national champion Ohio State and Texas , last seen matching wits in the Buckeyes’ 28-14 win in College Football Playoff semifinals at the Cotton Bowl.

This postseason system, especially with the expanded format, has removed the do-or-die nature of this season openers. Even still, the game in Columbus will color the perception of both teams and both leagues as the Big Ten and SEC jockey for position in the playoff race.

But that’s not the only cross-conference matchup with postseason ramifications. There’s also the Death Valley bragging-rights matchup between LS

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