The 2025 college football season kicks off with a Saturday night showdown under the lights as the Vanderbilt Commodores welcome the Charleston Southern Buccaneers to Nashville for a Week 1 clash (7:00 PM ET). For the Commodores, this opener isn’t just about starting the year on the right foot—it’s a chance to set the tone for a program looking to build momentum in a competitive SEC landscape. Meanwhile, Charleston Southern arrives as an FCS foe with nothing to lose, eager to test their mettle against Power 5 opposition in what could be a statement-making upset bid.

With both teams entering the season fresh and untested, the battle in the trenches and early-game execution will be critical. Vanderbilt’s home-field advantage and the electric atmosphere of a season opener could prove decisive, but if the Buccaneers’ discipline and physicality disrupt the Commodores’ rhythm, this one might stay tighter than expected. In a game where every snap carries the weight of new beginnings, fans can expect fireworks, intensity, and the first glimpse of what these teams are truly made of in 2025.