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Week 1 of the 2025 FCS football season is here. It’s time to kick off the season for most of the teams in the country.

Here are the seven games to watch to open Week 1.

Stan Becton's 7 FCS games to watch in Week 1

No. 14 Sacramento State at No. 3 South Dakota State

So many changes are involved with both teams.

Both teams have a new head coach in Dan Jackson (SDSU) and Brennan Marion (Sac State). Both teams have new rosters after the transfer portal, with the Hornets bringing in the top transfer class in the FCS and the Jackrabbits retooling after losing key pieces to the FCS.

Both Sacramento State and South Dakota State are ranked in the top-15 to start the season, so this matchup will be an early test of teams with deep playoff aspirations.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: 48 players to know for the 48th season of FCS football

Towson at Norfolk State

Towson finished 7-5 in 2024. Norfolk State finished 4-8 in 2024. Yet, what makes this game one of my top-seven to watch to open 2025? 

Michael Vick.

The NFL legend takes the reins at NSU as the head coach, playing in a nationally televised game on Thursday night to kick off the Week 1 slate. All eyes will be on Vick to see how he does as a coach in his debut.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Top 25 nonconference games in the 2025 FCS season

No. 22 Richmond at No. 15 Lehigh

Richmond and Lehigh met in the first round of the 2024 FCS playoff. Lehigh won 20-16. 

In 2025, Richmond and Lehigh are in the same conference after the Spiders left the CAA to join the Patriot League. In the preseason conference poll, Lehigh was predicted first and Richmond second. 

A matchup of the top-two teams in a conference to start the season means that this game could have a season-long impact.

BREAKING THROUGH: 

New Hampshire at North Carolina Central

After North Carolina Central put on a show in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge in Week 0, they host another big-time nonconference opponent in Week 1. New Hampshire, a CAA team that made the playoffs last season, comes to town.

Will North Carolina Central keep the momentum rolling? Or Will New Hampshire, a team picked fifth in the CAA preseason poll, land a pivotal road win?

EVERYTHING HBCU: Schedule, scores, updates and more from the 2025 HBCU football season

Eastern Washington at No. 4 UIW

Eastern Washington was predicted to finish only eight in the preseason Big Sky poll. UIW opened ranked No. 4 in the FCS Coaches Poll. Yet, after UIW didn’t score a touchdown against an unranked Nicholls squad in Week 0, questions remain about how good this Cardinals team is.

Meanwhile, Eastern Washington is never an easy out. Even though EWU finished 4-8 last season, the Eagles lost three games by single digits and another two games by just 10 points. Eastern Washington could land an upset to kick off the season against a reeling UIW team.

If UIW does lose, the future schedule won't provide the Cardinals any favors — an FBS opponent and two FCS playoff teams remaining on the September schedule.

UPSETS: 9 potential FCS over FBS upsets for the 2025 college football season | Every 2025 FCS vs FBS game

William & Mary at Furman

William & Mary and Furman both made the playoffs in 2023 before missing out on the postseason in 2024. Nonetheless, the Tribe and Paladins are two programs with an expectation to win, no matter what happened in the past. A nonconference win for William & Mary or Furman will be a good start for either squad to get back to a potential postseason push.

Howard at Florida A&M

After a year’s absence, Florida A&M is back in the Orange Blossom Classic. The Rattlers play Howard in a 2023 Celebration Bowl rematch.

Beyond the rematch angle, there is a rebound angle with this game as well. Florida A&M finished just 7-5 under new head coach James Colzie III last year — with three SWAC losses. After winning at least a share of back-to-back MEAC titles, Howard won only one MEAC game in 2024.

The Rattlers and the Bison are both trying to return to their winning ways in 2025. A win over a former rival would be a good way to start.