College Football and Basketball Collide at 2025 State Farm Champions Classic
ESPN’s gearing up for a wild sports mashup at the 2025 State Farm Champions Classic. For the first time since 2021, they’ll blend two of their flagship studio shows at one electric event.
This football-basketball crossover will feature the College Football Playoff Top 25 Presented by Vrbo, broadcast live from the Champions Classic. And in a move fans have been waiting for, College GameDay Covered by State Farm is making its return to the event for the first time since 2019.
They’re promising a packed night of college hoops and football, all happening under the bright lights at Madison Square Garden on November 18. That’s a lot of sports energy for one building.
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ESPN’s Unique Sports Crossover: What to Expect
If you’re a sports fan, this is one to mark on your calendar. ESPN’s bringing together its top college football and basketball shows for a night that’s honestly kind of unprecedented.
The College Football Playoff Top 25 Presented by Vrbo will go live from the Champions Classic—something we haven’t seen in years. The broadcast lands right between two major basketball games, so there’s barely a moment to catch your breath.
College GameDay Returns to MSG
College GameDay Covered by State Farm is back at Madison Square Garden, finally. It’s been since 2019, which feels like forever ago.
The pregame show will cover the 15th annual Champions Classic, with four powerhouse men’s basketball programs on display. Rece Davis is hosting, joined by analysts Jay Bilas, Seth Greenberg, Jay Williams, and Andraya Carter. The show starts up at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
Basketball Showdowns to Watch
The Champions Classic is serving up two big-time matchups that should keep fans glued to the action. First up, No. 22 Michigan State takes on No. 9 Kentucky at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Then, No. 19 Kansas faces off against 2025 national semifinalists No. 6 Duke at 9 p.m. Dan Shulman’s on play-by-play, Jay Bilas handles analysis, and Kris Budden’s reporting courtside.
Key Matchups and Players to Watch
Michigan State and Kentucky both want to set the tone early in the season. Michigan State’s got a standout guard, while Kentucky’s frontcourt is a real force.
Kansas versus Duke is another can’t-miss, with some of the top talent in college basketball. Kansas leans on experience, Duke’s banking on their young, high-energy squad. Should be a show.
The College Football Playoff Top 25: A Mid-Event Highlight
Here’s a twist: the College Football Playoff Top 25 Presented by Vrbo airs live around 8 p.m., right between the two hoops games. Rece Davis hosts, offering up the latest on the rankings as the college football season hits crunch time.
The full schedule for the College Football Playoff Top 25 goes like this:
- Tuesday, November 4 – 8 p.m. | Presented by Allstate
- Tuesday, November 11 – 7 p.m. | Presented by Goodyear
- Tuesday, November 18 – 8:30 p.m. | Presented by Vrbo
- Tuesday, November 25 – 7 p.m. | Presented by Capital One
- Tuesday, December 2 – 7 p.m. | Presented by AT&T
- Sunday, December 7 – Noon | Presented by AT&T
Implications for College Football
This special edition of the College Football Playoff Top 25 could shake things up for teams aiming for a playoff spot. Revealing the rankings live from such a huge basketball event really shows how college sports are all tangled together—kind of exciting, honestly.
Fans will be watching closely to see where their teams land as the season winds down.
Why This Event Matters
The 2025 State Farm Champions Classic isn’t just about basketball. It’s a big, loud celebration of college sports in general.
By weaving in the College Football Playoff Top 25, ESPN’s giving fans a fresh way to experience the highs and lows of both sports. It’s a crossover that feels overdue and, honestly, it’s about time we got something this fun on the calendar.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, ESPN seems set to raise the bar for sports broadcasting. This upcoming event is shaping up to be something special.
High-stakes basketball and crucial football rankings all in one night? That’s not something you see every day. It almost feels like a dream lineup for college sports fans.
There’ll be sharp analysis and exciting games—at least, that’s what everyone’s hoping for. Mixing two of the biggest college sports like this just feels right.
If you want the official details, you can check out the announcement here.
