Training camp has started and all 14 head coaches in the American Conference are in full preparation mode for the 2025 football season, which begins Thursday, Aug. 28.

There is no shortage of big matchups in the opening weekend. Five new head coaches adorn the sidelines in the American while a sixth begins his first full season in the big chair. 

Here are some of the key games to watch as the lid lifts on the 2025 season.



Boise State at South Florida (Aug. 28 | 5:30 p.m. | ESPN)
The first game on the American's 2025 schedule is a big one. 

The Bulls kick off the 2025 season with what might be the most daunting opening stretch of any college footbal team. The home date against No. 25 Boise State - a 2024 College Football Playoff quarterfinalist, is the first of three consecutive games against preseason top-25 teams for South Florida, which has road games at No. 17 Florida and No. 10 Miami up next.

South Florida gets star quarterback Byrum Brown back after a season-ending injury limited him to five games in 2024. Brown's experience and ability will be key against a Boise State squad that won 12 games last year, but looks to replace Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty. Boise State has gone 12-1 at home in the last two seasons, but is 8-5 on the road in that time, so a tropical late-afternoon game in the Southeast could be just what the Bulls need.


East Carolina at NC State (Aug. 28 | 7 p.m. | ACC Network)
If the matchup looks familiar, it's because these two teams met in the Military Bowl to close the 2024 season before opening the 2025 campaign in Raleigh.

The Pirates improved by six wins last year and finished with a thrilling 26-21 victory against the Wolfpack in Bowl Season, behind an 86-yard touchdown run by ECU's Rahjai Harris in the final minutes. That result has resonated with NC State head coach Dave Doeren through the preseason, adding another layer to what is already a solid in-state rivalry. Blake Harrell, meanwhile, begins his first full season as the Pirates' head coach after a 5-1 finish to 2025 in the interim role.


Appalachian State vs. Charlotte (Aug. 29 | 7 p.m. | ESPNU)
Another in-state matchup between teams from North Carolina gets things started on Friday as Charlotte faces the Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium in the annual Duke's Mayo Classic. 

The game will mark the Charlotte debut of head coach Tim Albin, who led Ohio to the MAC title last season and will take over a 49ers squad that went 4-4 in the American last season. App State likewise has a new head coach as Dowell Loggains looks to have the Mountaineers return to form after an uncharacteristic 5-6 season in 2024.


Florida Atlantic at Maryland (Aug. 30 | Noon | Big Ten Network)
Zach Kittley made his name as one of the leading offensive coordinators in college football through his time at Houston Baptist, Western Kentucky and Texas Tech and he has the benefit of a 2024 conference player of the year on his sideline as Caden Veltkamp gets ready to take the Opening Day snaps for the Owls. Veltkamp threw for more than 3,000 yards with 25 touchdowns at WKU last year on his way to Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Florida Atlantic opens with a Maryland team that looks to bounce back from a 4-8 season after three consecutive winning seasons in College Park.


Northwestern at Tulane (Aug. 30 | Noon | ESPNU)
Tulane's nonconference schedule includes home games against Northwestern and Duke as well as a road date at Ole Miss, but the Green Wave should be up to the task behind head coach Jon Sumrall who has a 33-9 record as a head coach.

Sumrall has made good use of the transfer portal, particularly at the quarterback position where a number of solid options are in place for the season-opener as the Green Wave looks for a fourth consecutive appearance in the American Championship game. 

Northwestern will have a familiar face on its offense as the Wildcats showcase former SMU quarterback Preston Stone, a third-team all-confernece pick in the American in 2023.


UTSA at Texas A&M (Aug. 30 | 7 p.m. | ESPN)
UTSA stumbled early last year, but the Roadrunners closed the year with four wins in their last five games, including a blowout win against Coastal Carolina in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.

Head Coach Jeff Traylor brings the Roadrunners to a season-opener in College Station, where No. 21 Texas A&M awaits. UTSA has gone 0-2 against the Aggies, but the Roadrunners have nine returning starters on offense, including QB Owen McCown, and figure to be among the favorites in the American this season, making this Lone Star State showdown one to watch.


Rice at Louisiana (Aug. 30 | 8 p.m. | ESPN+)
Rice should be one of the more intriguing teams to watch in 2025 as new head coach Scott Abell overhauls the Owls' offense to his dynamic shotgun-option look. Abell is a difference-maker -- he took over a Davidson program that had 10 consecutive losing seasons and promptly enjoyed seven consecutive winning seasons.

Abell and the Owls have a tough test out of the chute with a road trip to Lafayette, Louisiana. The Ragin' Cajuns won 10 games last year, and are considered a favorite in the Sun Belt after reaching the title game in 2024.