The Top 5 College Football Games to Watch in Week Zero

The long offseason is finally coming to an end. The 2026 college football season begins with an intriguing Week Zero schedule featuring an international showcase, an early ACC matchup, a dangerous FBS-FCS collision and a late-night battle between two potential conference contenders.

Week Zero will officially begin Thursday, August 27, with several FCS games before the main schedule arrives on Saturday, August 29. The day’s action stretches from Dublin, Ireland, to Las Vegas and includes several teams with legitimate postseason aspirations. Here are the five best games of Week Zero, ranked from No. 5 to No. 1.

5. San Jose State at No. 14 USC

Saturday, August 29 — 3 p.m. ET — NBC/Peacock

USC enters the 2026 season with increased expectations and little room for an opening-week embarrassment. Lincoln Riley’s Trojans are expected to contend near the top of the Big Ten, but they must first deal with a San Jose State program that should arrive in Los Angeles believing it has nothing to lose.

Ken Niumatalolo has brought toughness and stability to San Jose State. The Spartans may not match USC’s roster talent, but an experienced underdog can become dangerous if the favored team commits turnovers or spends too much time looking ahead.

For USC, this game should provide an early look at whether its defense has finally developed the consistency required to compete for a College Football Playoff berth. Riley’s teams have rarely struggled to produce points, but the Trojans must prove they can control games physically instead of relying exclusively on offensive fireworks.

San Jose State’s best chance will be to shorten the game, create turnovers and force USC to play under pressure into the second half. If the Trojans avoid those mistakes, their speed and depth should eventually take control.

Prediction: USC 41, San Jose State 17

4. Jacksonville State at North Dakota State

Saturday, August 29 — 5:30 p.m. ET — CBS Sports Network

This is technically an FBS team visiting an FCS opponent, but nobody should describe Jacksonville State’s trip to Fargo as a routine opener. North Dakota State has built the most dominant modern dynasty in the FCS and remains capable of defeating many programs from college football’s highest level.

The Fargodome will make the challenge even more difficult. Its noise, fast playing surface and intimate environment routinely create problems for visiting teams. North Dakota State will attempt to control the line of scrimmage, establish its running game and force Jacksonville State to play a disciplined, physical game for four quarters.

Jacksonville State has quickly established itself as a competitive FBS program. Quarterback Caden Creel gives the Gamecocks an experienced leader, while the defense should be especially strong in the secondary. This is an opportunity for Jacksonville State to demonstrate that it belongs among the leading contenders in Conference USA.

The pressure will be on the Gamecocks because North Dakota State has almost nothing to lose. If the Bison win, it becomes another nationally celebrated victory over an FBS opponent. If Jacksonville State wins, many people will treat it as something the Gamecocks were supposed to do.

That makes this one of Week Zero’s most fascinating psychological tests.

Prediction: North Dakota State 27, Jacksonville State 24

3. NC State at Virginia

Saturday, August 29 — 3:30 p.m. ET — ESPN

NC State and Virginia were originally scheduled to open the season in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but the game was relocated to Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. The international setting is gone, but the importance of this early ACC matchup remains.

NC State quarterback CJ Bailey enters the season as one of the most intriguing players in the conference. Bailey passed for more than 3,100 yards last season and possesses the physical tools to become one of the ACC’s best quarterbacks. Running back Hollywood Smothers gives the Wolfpack another proven offensive threat after rushing for 939 yards.

Virginia’s home-field advantage should prevent this from becoming an easy opener. The Cavaliers need to establish a physical running game, protect the football and keep Bailey from producing explosive plays. Opening the season with a conference loss would immediately place either team in a difficult position, particularly in a league race with little margin for error.

The unusual circumstances surrounding the game only add to the intrigue. Both teams originally prepared for an international trip before the contest was moved back to Charlottesville. Virginia gained a genuine home game, while NC State lost the neutrality of the original site.

The Wolfpack appear to have the more established offensive playmakers, but road conference games are rarely comfortable.

Prediction: NC State 30, Virginia 23

2. Memphis at UNLV

Saturday, August 29 — 10 p.m. ET — FOX

The best late-night game of Week Zero could have significant consequences in the race for the Group of Five’s College Football Playoff position.

Memphis and UNLV are meeting for the first time, and both programs have enjoyed some of their most successful football in recent years. The Tigers are beginning a new era under Charles Huff, who took over after Ryan Silverfield left for Arkansas. Huff inherits a program with the resources, location and tradition necessary to remain a contender in the American Conference.

Quarterback Brendon Lewis gives Memphis valuable experience after passing for 2,673 yards. Cortez Braham Jr., who recorded 889 receiving yards, should be one of the most important weapons in the Tigers’ offense.

UNLV enters the second season of the Dan Mullen era with expectations of contending for the Mountain West championship. Mullen’s offensive background makes this an especially interesting matchup against a Memphis program that has traditionally been comfortable playing high-scoring games.

Playing inside Allegiant Stadium gives the Rebels an important advantage. UNLV must use the crowd, survive Memphis’ early offensive pressure and avoid falling behind by multiple scores. The Tigers, meanwhile, must prove they can maintain their recent standard under a new coaching staff.

Because the College Football Playoff guarantees access to the five highest-ranked conference champions, this game could eventually influence which Group of Five team reaches the postseason. An opening loss would not eliminate either program, but the winner will immediately own a valuable result against another conference contender.

Prediction: UNLV 34, Memphis 31

1. North Carolina vs. TCU

Saturday, August 29 — Noon ET — ESPN Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland

The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is unquestionably the headline attraction of Week Zero. North Carolina and TCU will meet in Dublin one year after the Horned Frogs spoiled Bill Belichick’s college coaching debut with a decisive 48–14 victory in Chapel Hill.

That result became the first warning sign in a difficult 4–8 season for North Carolina. Belichick now enters his second year facing pressure to demonstrate that his NFL experience can produce meaningful progress at the college level.

The Tar Heels will turn to veteran transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who previously played at Wake Forest, Maryland and Wisconsin. Edwards passed for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns as Maryland’s starter in 2024, but injuries limited him during the 2025 season. If healthy, his experience should provide North Carolina with greater stability at the position.

TCU enters the game with confidence after dominating the first meeting. Sonny Dykes’ team knows its speed and offensive system created enormous problems for the Tar Heels last season. However, repeating that performance in a different country against a North Carolina roster rebuilt through the transfer portal will require complete focus.

Travel also introduces an unpredictable factor. The team that adjusts most effectively to the time difference, unusual schedule and international environment could gain an early advantage.

For North Carolina, this is more than a season opener. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that Belichick’s program has improved and that last year’s humiliation no longer defines the Tar Heels. For TCU, it is a chance to secure another nationally televised victory and begin building a potential playoff résumé.

North Carolina should be more competitive than it was last season, but TCU remains the more trustworthy program entering the opener.

Prediction: TCU 31, North Carolina 23

Week Zero Offers an Intriguing Opening Act

Week Zero does not have the depth of the first full Saturday, but it offers several games with legitimate consequences. NC State and Virginia will begin ACC play immediately, Memphis and UNLV could affect the Group of Five playoff race, and Jacksonville State will risk its reputation inside one of the most intimidating environments outside the FBS.

Everything, however, leads back to Dublin. North Carolina’s rematch with TCU gives Bill Belichick an immediate opportunity to show that his program has changed. If the Tar Heels struggle again, the pressure surrounding his second season will intensify before September even begins.

The schedule and broadcast details were confirmed through the NCAA’s Week Zero schedule, CBS Sports and official school game listings.