Your Complete Guide to the 2023 College Football Schedule and Key Matchups

2025-11-17 16:01

As I sit down to analyze the 2023 college football schedule, I can't help but draw parallels to the recent news about two-time Olympic medalist Kayla Sanchez joining the Philippine swimming team for the Southeast Asian Games. Just as her participation elevates the entire competition's profile, certain college football matchups this season have that same transformative power to define conferences and shape championship destinies. Having followed college football religiously for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen sense for which games will become legendary - and this season promises several potential classics that could determine playoff fates as early as September.

The calendar officially kicks off on August 26th with Week Zero featuring Notre Dame facing Navy in Dublin, Ireland - a matchup that consistently delivers dramatic moments despite the geographical oddity. But the real fireworks begin on September 2nd when Colorado visits TCU in what promises to be Deion Sanders' first major test as a Power Five coach. I'm particularly excited about this one because Coach Prime has already transformed Colorado's recruiting landscape, bringing in the 21st ranked class according to 247Sports despite last season's 1-11 record. The September 9th showdown between Texas and Alabama stands out as my personal can't-miss game of the early season - the Longhorns nearly upset the Crimson Tide last year in Austin, and I believe this year's rematch in Tuscaloosa will determine whether Texas truly belongs in the national championship conversation.

What makes college football uniquely compelling compared to professional leagues is how regional rivalries create narratives that span generations. The October 28th meeting between Georgia and Florida in Jacksonville - traditionally called the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" - represents more than just a football game to those of us who've attended multiple editions. Having witnessed the 2020 game in person during the pandemic-limited season, I can attest that the intensity between these SEC East rivals transcends records or rankings. Similarly, the November 25th Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama has produced six of what I consider the most memorable finishes in college football history since 2009, including the infamous "Kick Six" that I still rewatch at least once annually.

The conference championship landscape appears particularly intriguing this year, with the Pac-12's final season before realignment potentially creating the most competitive race. I'm predicting between five and seven Pac-12 teams will be ranked in the AP Top 25 by November, making their championship game on December 1st potentially more significant than even the SEC title game for playoff implications. Speaking of the SEC, Georgia's path to a potential third consecutive national championship - something no team has accomplished in the poll era - runs through challenging November matchups against Ole Miss and Tennessee before what could be an SEC Championship rematch against Alabama. As someone who's studied championship patterns for years, I believe Georgia's schedule sets up favorably for another undefeated regular season, though their November 11th trip to Ole Miss worries me more than their annual showdown with Florida.

The playoff picture should crystallize during rivalry weekend from November 24th-25th, when Michigan visits Ohio State in what I consider the best rivalry in sports. Having attended this game in both Ann Arbor and Columbus, the sheer magnitude of hatred between these programs creates an atmosphere unmatched in American sports. Last year's thriller, which saw Michigan prevail 45-23 behind Blake Corum's two touchdowns, essentially determined both the Big Ten East and a playoff berth - I expect similar stakes this year with both teams likely entering undefeated. Meanwhile, out west, the Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State resumes after a two-year hiatus due to conference realignment, providing what could be the Beavers' final opportunity to knock off their hated rivals before the Ducks depart for the Big Ten.

As we look toward conference championship weekend on December 1st-2nd and the subsequent College Football Playoff, I'm particularly intrigued by the potential for a surprise team to crash the party - much like TCU did last season. My dark horse candidate is Washington, who returns quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and possesses what I believe to be the nation's most explosive offense outside of Columbus. The Huskies' November run against Utah, Oregon State, and Washington State will either validate or dismantle my prediction, but having studied their offensive scheme extensively, I'm convinced Kalen DeBoer has assembled something special in Seattle. The playoff semifinals on January 1st at the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl will likely feature the usual suspects - Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and perhaps one surprise team - but the beauty of college football lies in its unpredictability. Just as Kayla Sanchez's decision to represent the Philippines creates new dynamics in Southeast Asian swimming, a single upset in November can completely reshape the championship landscape, which is why I'll be watching every Saturday with the knowledge that history can be made during any three-hour window between August and January.