There are at least 10 games on the second Saturday in October around the country that will have massive conference and playoff implications.
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Every year, there is a day on the college football schedule that stands out as the best day of the regular season. Last year it was October 12th, which featured Ohio State-Oregon, LSU–Ole Miss, Oklahoma-Texas, Florida-Tennessee, Penn State-USC, and Kansas State-Colorado. The day was so big, I went out to Oregon to visit my Dad, and we and his neighbor went to a sportsbook in Coos Bay to enjoy all the action in one place and wager on all the games.
This year, there is a day that is shaping up to be just as big, if not even bigger, than what we saw last year. Funny enough, this year’s best day of the regular season is almost the same date as last year’s biggest day of the regular season. 2025 gives us October 11th, which has a slew of important contests throughout the day. By my count, there are 13 games that have caught my eye on the second Saturday of October.
Will all these games end up being important by the time we get to October? Probably not, since there are always teams that underperform compared to their preseason expectations. Even if a couple of games fail to live up to the hype as we move closer to kickoff, the volume of quality contests on this day should make for the most entertaining Saturday of the college football regular season.
Ohio State v. Illinois
We’ll start with a contest that is going to mean everything to the Fighting Illini. While Ohio State is a favorite to make the College Football Playoff to defend their national title, Illinois will be looking to make the CFP this year after Bret Bielema thought they had a compelling case to make the playoff last season. This is the most important game on the Illinois schedule since if they are able to beat the Buckeyes, they could very well run the table in the conference and wind up in the Big Ten Championship Game for the first time in school history.
What the Buckeyes can’t afford to do is be caught napping here. When it comes to their regular season schedule, this is likely just the fourth-most important game for Ohio State. Over the years, weird things have happened when the Buckeyes have gone to Champaign. Luckily for Ohio State, this contest is earlier in the season, so they might not have to deal with some of the wacky weather they have seen in years past in games in Champaign that have taken place in November. In the end, I think we see a Buckeye win, but Illinois keeps it close to help their argument that they belong in this year’s playoff.
Michigan v. USC
Last year, USC took Penn State to overtime in Los Angeles before Tyler Warren and the Nittany Lions were too much for the Trojans to handle. This year, Lincoln Riley and USC will host Michigan in a game that is winnable for the Trojans. The Wolverines could already have two losses on their record since they go to Oklahoma the second week of the season, followed by a trip to Lincoln to take on Nebraska two weeks later in a game in which head coach Sherrone Moore is suspended.
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USC’s quarterback situation is a little easier to get a read on with Jayden Maiava taking over for Miller Moss behind center. Michigan’s quarterback battle isn’t quite as clear. The Wolverines brought in Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene to keep the spot warm until super freshman Bryce Underwood is ready to take over. Despite Michigan believing they are a playoff team, it will be replacing a lot of important pieces from last year’s squad.
Indiana v. Oregon
Was Indiana a one-year wonder, or does Curt Cignetti have the juice to keep the momentum going in Bloomington? We’ll find out a lot about the Hoosiers in this contest as they make the long trip out west to take on one of the best teams in the Big Ten. Oregon will be well-rested coming into this game as they’ll have a bye the previous week after taking on Penn State under the lights in State College in one of the biggest games of the year in the Big Ten.
Iowa v. Wisconsin
I wouldn’t be surprised if neither team is ranked heading into this game, but that won’t take away from the intense rivalry between the two schools. The Hawkeyes have won the last three battles for the Heartland Trophy, holding the Badgers to 10 points or less in each of those contests.
With games at Alabama and Michigan earlier in the season, followed by contests against Ohio State and Oregon after, Luke Fickell will desperately need this game to avoid having the season spiral out of control for the Badgers.
Georgia v. Auburn
Georgia has dominated the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry of late, winning 11 of the last 12 against the Tigers. The Bulldogs can’t just expect to show up and get a win at Auburn, though.
Hugh Freeze’s teams have been pesky at times at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Just ask Texas A&M, which lost to the Tigers in four overtimes there last year in November. Even though Gunnar Stockton is the clear starter at quarterback for Georgia this year, he is still pretty green, and this will only be his second true road game as a starter.
South Carolina v. LSU
If you had to ask me which game I thought would be the best on October 11th, this would be my pick. South Carolina should be electric with LaNorris Sellers at quarterback, while LSU has the look of a playoff contender with Garrett Nussmeier at quarterback.
The Gamecocks finished last season as one of the hottest teams in the country, so it will be interesting if head coach Shane Beamer can find a way to carry the momentum over to this season.
Oklahoma v. Texas
Throw the record books out the window when the Sooners and Longhorns meet in Dallas. The Red River Rivalry has been hard to predict over the years, as the programs have split the last four meetings. This feels like a make-or-break year for Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, who is just 22-17 in his first three seasons in charge in Norman.
Texas will be looking to return to the CFP for a third straight season, with Arch Manning taking over at quarterback after Quinn Ewers moved on to the NFL.
Florida v. Texas A&M
Can Billy Napier finally turn things around in Gainesville? The Gators have D.J. Lagway returning after the quarterback showed some signs of why he was a highly-touted recruit. The Aggies will counter with Marcel Reed, who took hold of the starting job in the second half of the season.
Kyle Field is one of the toughest venues in the country to play at, but the Gators are gaining confidence heading into this season, so we could have a real fun game on our hands.
Iowa State v. Colorado
Iowa State will be seen as one of the favorites in the Big 12 after making the conference title game last year. The Cyclones return quarterback Rocco Becht and running backs Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III.
Now it will be up to Matt Campbell to finally find a way to win a big game, which is something that eluded him up to this point in his coaching career. In a way, Campbell is the heartland version of James Franklin.
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On the other sideline, Deion Sanders certainly won’t be lacking confidence. Even though Colorado has to replace Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, Coach Prime has made some moves to keep the Buffaloes relevant in the national picture. While Iowa State should be the better team here, it’s hard to trust Campbell to win a game like this on the road.
Kansas v. Texas Tech
It’s obvious Texas Tech is pouring a bunch of money into the football program after seeing the cash they splashed on 2026 offensive line recruit Felix Ojo. Joey McGuire put together an 8-4 season in 2024, and will return quarterback Behren Morton, as well as USC transfer running back Quinten Joyner.
Kansas will counter with quarterback Jalon Daniels, along with running backs Leshon Williams and Daniel Hishaw Jr. This game could be one of the most underrated contests of the season.
TCU v. Kansas State
Another sneaky good game in the Big 12 on this date will be the battle between TCU and Kansas State. TCU returns quarterback Josh Hoover, who threw for 27 touchdowns last year, while Kansas State has Avery Johnson back behind center.
It’s easy to see both of these teams battling for the crown in the conference this season. Both squads finished with nine wins last season, so this contest will be critical as the Horned Frogs and Wildcats look to make it to Dallas for the Big 12 Championship Game in early December.
Honorable mention: Arkansas v. Tennessee, Alabama v. Missouri, Clemson v. Boston College, Arizona State v. Utah, NC State v. Notre Dame