Week 0 Is Here: College Football Kicks Off in Dublin, and Macon Gets a Prime-Time Slot
By faNILy Team ·
It's here. College football's 2026 season kicks off today, Saturday, August 29, with a Week 0 slate that starts in Ireland and ends in Las Vegas. Here are the highlights, per Awful Announcing.
Week 0 highlights (all times ET)
- Noon: North Carolina vs. TCU, Aer Lingus Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin (ESPN)
- 3 p.m.: Southern vs. Alabama State, Birmingham Football Classic at Legion Field (ESPNU)
- 3 p.m.: San José State at USC (NBC/Peacock)
- 3:30 p.m.: NC State at Virginia (ESPN/ACC Network)
- 5:30 p.m.: Jacksonville State at North Dakota State (CBS Sports Network)
- 7 p.m.: East Texas A&M at Mercer, FCS Kickoff in Macon (ESPN)
- 7 p.m.: Hawai'i at Stanford (ACC Network)
- 7 p.m.: New Mexico State at Florida State (The CW)
- 7:30 p.m.: Alabama A&M vs. Howard, MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta (ABC)
- 9 p.m.: Prairie View A&M at Tarleton (ESPN2)
- 10 p.m.: Memphis at UNLV (Fox)
Games worth your attention
UNC-TCU in Dublin. An international neutral-site opener is a fun way to start the year, and the noon kick means you can watch it over breakfast-turned-lunch.
Mercer in prime time. Georgia fans, take note. Mercer hosts East Texas A&M at Five Star Stadium in Macon in the FCS Kickoff on ESPN. A national prime-time window for an in-state program is a big deal, and it's a chance for Mercer's players to be seen by a lot of people who've never watched them before.
HBCU showcase in Atlanta. Alabama A&M and Howard get a network prime-time slot on ABC from Center Parc Stadium, which is great exposure for both programs and their players.
Jacksonville State at North Dakota State. Kennesaw State fans know Jax State well: it was KSU's opponent in the 2025 Conference USA Championship, and the two meet again in Kennesaw on October 7, per KSU Athletics.
What's next in Georgia
The big weekend for Georgia is right around the corner. Kennesaw State, the reigning Conference USA champion, opens its season Thursday, September 3, against West Georgia at Fifth Third Stadium. And on September 19, the Owls head to Tennessee.
How to make the most of Week 0
- Pace yourself. The slate runs from noon to a 10 p.m. Eastern kickoff, so pick a few windows rather than trying to catch everything.
- Watch for new names. Season openers are where transfers and first-time starters introduce themselves.
- Keep an eye on the smaller stages. FCS and HBCU programs rarely get a bigger national spotlight than an opening-day TV window.
A new season, a new fan experience
Week 0 has always been a gift to fans who can't wait. This year it also kicks off with a federal college sports bill still pending in Congress and NIL more visible than ever.
What hasn't changed: the reason we all tune in. It's the players. Every season, a few of them go from unknown to must-watch, and the fans who find them early get the best seat for the ride. Enjoy the opener.