The 2026 college football season will begin with a matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels in Dublin, Ireland. This game is part of an eight-game Week 0 lineup and is set to start at noon EDT at Aviva Stadium, with ESPN providing coverage.
TCU enters the contest as 9.5-point favorites, having achieved a 9-4 record in the last two seasons, both of which ended with bowl victories. Under the leadership of head coach Sonny Dykes, the Horned Frogs have a 36-17 record over his first five years, highlighted by a trip to the national championship game during his debut season.
Meanwhile, North Carolina, coached by Bill Belichick, aims to bounce back from a challenging 2025-26 season that saw them finish with a 4-8 record. Belichick noted the difficulties of preparing for an opening game, mentioning the uncertainties both teams will face. He remarked that the real test will occur once the game commences.
In addition to the TCU vs. North Carolina game, other notable matchups on Saturday include the No. 14 USC Trojans hosting the San Jose State Spartans, with USC favored by 38.5 points, as well as games featuring N.C. State against Virginia and Florida State facing New Mexico State.
Most FBS season openers are scheduled for the following week, with many games planned from Thursday through September 7.
