Week 0 ncaa football schedule ranked: UNC vs. TCU leads
The 2026 ncaa football schedule kicks off Saturday, Aug. 29, with eight FBS Week 0 games. CBS Sports ranks North Carolina vs. TCU in Dublin as the top watch, followed by NC State at Virginia. USC and Florida State also open, while North Dakota State and Sacramento State make FBS debuts. The slate runs from noon ET overseas to a late Group of Six clash in Las Vegas before Labor Day weekend.
Key Takeaways
- Eight FBS games highlight Week 0 on Saturday, Aug. 29.
- UNC vs. TCU in Dublin leads CBS Sports' watchability ranking after last year's 48-14 Horned Frogs win.
- NC State at Virginia is the top ACC opener; Memphis at UNLV closes with playoff implications.
- North Dakota State and Sacramento State debut as FBS programs; No. 14 USC hosts San Jose State.
- Florida State opens vs. New Mexico State with coach Mike Norvell on a hot seat.
Which Week 0 games sit atop the watch list?
According to CBS Sports, North Carolina vs. TCU ranks first. The Dublin rematch airs at noon ET on ESPN. Last season, TCU embarrassed Bill Belichick's Tar Heels 48-14 in Chapel Hill.
Yahoo Sports reports UNC named Billy Edwards Jr. starting quarterback after overhauling the position room. TCU turns to Harvard transfer Jaden Craig after Josh Hoover left for Indiana.
NC State at Virginia (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) ranks second. Virginia is coming off a program-record 11-win season. Dave Doeren is unbeaten against the Cavaliers in four meetings during his 14-year NC State tenure.
Why do UNC and Florida State face so much pressure?
UNC arrives amid noise around Year 2 of the Belichick experiment, including staff leaves noted by CBS Sports. A repeat blowout would raise hard questions; an upset would reset the conversation around the Tar Heels.
New Mexico State at Florida State (7 p.m. ET, CW) sits sixth on the CBS watch list. Norvell enters after back-to-back losing seasons. The Seminoles are 30.5-point FanDuel favorites, but No. 19 SMU and a trip to No. 13 Alabama loom next.
San Jose State at No. 14 USC (3 p.m. ET, NBC) is the only ranked Week 0 game and the biggest mismatch: USC is a 38.5-point favorite. Lincoln Riley's defense debuts under coordinator Gary Patterson.
What else stands out on this ncaa football schedule?
Jacksonville State at North Dakota State (5:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN) marks NDSU's first FBS season in the Fargodome. Sacramento State opens at Eastern Michigan in its FBS debut. Hawaii visits Stanford for Tavita Pritchard's head-coaching debut.
Memphis at UNLV (10 p.m. ET, FOX) pits two Group of Six College Football Playoff hopefuls. Charles Huff debuts for Memphis after Ryan Silverfield left for Arkansas. UNLV has not settled on a starter between Jackson Arnold and Alex Orji.
For more oddball sports and schedule buzz, browse Bizarre World on BlasterPost.