**Next Up on Our Slate of the 2025 ACC and SEC Schedule Previews: Two Historic Programs with 23 National Championships Between Them**
The 2025 college football season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, and as we continue our fan-voted schedule previews, we turn our attention to two of the most storied programs in the sport’s history. These teams have combined for an astonishing 23 national championships, countless conference titles, and a legacy of producing some of the greatest players and coaches to ever step on the gridiron. Their 2025 schedules promise high-stakes matchups, historic rivalries, and games that could once again shape the College Football Playoff picture.
These two programs need no introduction. One hails from the ACC, a conference that has seen its football prestige rise dramatically in recent years, while the other is an SEC powerhouse with a fanbase as passionate as any in the country. Both have been at the forefront of college football for over a century, boasting traditions that include legendary coaches, Heisman Trophy winners, and unforgettable moments that have defined eras of the sport.
The first of these programs, with its rich history of dominance, has been a consistent contender for national titles, blending old-school physicality with modern offensive innovation. The other, a blue-blood program with a relentless recruiting machine, has remained a perennial force, adapting to the evolving landscape of college football while maintaining its championship pedigree. Together, they represent the very best of what makes college football so captivating—tradition, excellence, and an unrelenting pursuit of greatness.
As we dive into their 2025 slates, it’s clear that both teams will face challenges that could define their seasons. Whether it’s early-season tests, heated rivalry games, or late-November clashes with playoff implications, every week will bring must-watch football.
This program’s 2025 schedule is a mix of tough conference matchups and high-profile non-conference games that will test its mettle from the opening week. The season kicks off with a marquee showdown against a fellow historic program, setting the tone for what could be a championship-caliber year. A strong start will be crucial, as the middle of the schedule features back-to-back road games against divisional foes that have proven to be tricky opponents in recent years.
The rivalry games on this schedule are what truly stand out. One in particular, played annually with immense stakes, could once again decide who represents the division in the ACC Championship Game. Add in a late-season non-conference clash against an SEC opponent, and this team will have every opportunity to state its case as one of the nation’s best.
In the SEC, every game is a battle, and this program’s 2025 schedule is no exception. The season opens with a statement game against a Power Five opponent, giving fans an early glimpse of whether this team has what it takes to compete for a national title. The conference slate is brutal, featuring road trips to some of the most hostile environments in college football, as well as home games against rising contenders looking to make a name for themselves by taking down a giant.
But the real highlight of this schedule is the historic rivalry games. One, in particular, is among the most storied in all of sports—a clash that divides families and captivates the nation every year. The outcome could have major implications for the SEC Championship race and the playoff picture. And let’s not forget the season-ending showdown that could serve as a play-in game for the conference title, depending on how the standings shake out.
While every game matters in college football, a few stand out as potential season-defining moments for these two programs.
For the ACC powerhouse, the mid-season stretch will be critical. A road game against a divisional opponent that has pulled off upsets in the past could be a trap game if focus wavers. Then comes the rivalry showdown that could determine who advances to the conference championship—a game that has produced countless classics over the years.
For the SEC juggernaut, the month of October will be a gauntlet. Back-to-back games against fellow title contenders will test depth, coaching, and resilience. A loss in either could derail playoff hopes, while a sweep would cement this team as the team to beat in the SEC. And, of course, the annual rivalry game in late November needs no extra hype—it’s a game that could define legacies.
Both of these programs have realistic paths to the College Football Playoff in 2025, but their schedules leave little margin for error. The ACC team will need to navigate a conference that has grown increasingly competitive, with multiple teams capable of making a playoff push. A loss in the wrong spot could be devastating, but running the table would almost certainly secure a top-four seed.
The SEC team, meanwhile, knows that even one loss might not eliminate it from contention—but two could be fatal in the nation’s toughest conference. With so many ranked opponents on the schedule, style points will matter, and every game will be under the microscope. A conference championship would all but guarantee a playoff berth, but even without one, a strong résumé could be enough.
As we look ahead to the 2025 season, these two historic programs are once again poised to compete at the highest level. Their schedules are filled with opportunities to prove they belong among the elite, but also with pitfalls that could derail their championship aspirations. For fans, it’s a chance to witness greatness—whether in the form of a last-minute rivalry win, a statement victory on the road, or a playoff-clinching performance in the conference title game.
One thing is certain: when these two teams take the field in 2025, the college football world will be watching. With 23 national championships between them, the pursuit of number 24 (and perhaps 25) begins now.
