College Football Unveils 2026 Week 0-1 Slate With 8 Key Matchups

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 24

Aug. 29 opens the 2026 season with North Carolina-TCU in Dublin and NC State-Virginia in a rare Week 0 Power Four conference game.
Labor Day weekend carries the marquee weight, led by four nonconference spotlights: Washington State-Washington, Louisville-Ole Miss, Wisconsin-Notre Dame and SMU-Florida State.
Sept. 5 also features Baylor-Auburn, Boise State at No. 2 Oregon and No. 23 Clemson at No. 13 LSU, giving Week 1 several early tests with playoff and poll implications.
Several games double as program barometers: Bill Belichick's UNC gets a TCU rematch after last year's 48-14 loss, while Florida State seeks credibility after 5-7 and 2-10 seasons.
The opening slate blends rivalry games, neutral-site showcases and ranked matchups, setting an early tone for ACC, Big Ten, SEC and the rebuilt Pac-12 races.

Sources

USA TODAY14h ago

2026 College Football Week 0, Week 1 Schedule Released, Featuring Key Matchups

AOL5h ago

College football's Week 0, Week 1 schedule gives us plenty to get excited about - AOL

CBS Sports21h ago

College Football - NCAA Football News, Scores, Standings, Stats and Rumors - CBS Sports

11 Sources

How will Bill Belichick's highly anticipated college coaching debut at UNC unfold against TCU during Dublin's high-stakes international season opener?

With Lane Kiffin rebuilding LSU and Pete Golding taking over Ole Miss, which program will survive their grueling Week 1 showcase?

Why is Florida State entering their critical ACC home opener as an underdog against SMU despite already playing a tune-up game?