College football returns this weekend with the Week 1 schedule taking over. Most FBS teams will make their 2026 season debuts across a packed Labor Day weekend.
Saturday features major games from noon ET through late evening. Several matchups involve ranked programs and Power Four teams, giving fans an early look at the 2026 season.
The week began on Thursday with UMass visiting Rutgers and continues through Monday. However, Saturday remains the biggest day of Week 1, with 15 FBS games scheduled across the day.
College Football Games Today: Week 1 Saturday Schedule
The Saturday schedule starts with North Texas at defending national champion Indiana. Alabama also begins its season at home against East Carolina, while Ohio State hosts Ball State.
The day also includes several high-profile nonconference games. The biggest matchups include Clemson at LSU, Boise State at Oregon, Texas State at Texas, and Oklahoma State at Tulsa.
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College Football Games on Saturday, Sept. 5
- North Texas at Indiana – 12 p.m. ET (on FOX)
- Liberty at James Madison – 12 p.m. ET (on ESPNU)
- East Carolina at Alabama – 12 p.m. ET (on ABC)
- Ball State at Ohio State – 12:30 p.m. ET (on Big Ten Network)
- Tennessee State at Georgia – 3 p.m. ET (on SEC Network+)
- Baylor vs. Auburn – 3:30 p.m. ET ( on ABC) in Atlanta
- Boise State at Oregon – 3:30 p.m. ET (on CBS)
- Texas State at Texas – 3:30 p.m. ET (on ESPN)
- Tulane at Duke – 3:30 p.m. ET (on ACC Network)
- Oklahoma State at Tulsa – 3:45 p.m. ET (on ESPNU)
- FIU at South Florida – 7 p.m. ET (on ESPN+)
- Clemson at LSU – 7:30 p.m. ET (on ABC)
- Western Michigan at Michigan – 7:30 p.m. ET (on NBC/Peacock)
- Florida Atlantic at Florida – 7:45 p.m. ET (on SEC Network)
- UCLA at California – 10:30 p.m. ET (on ESPN)
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Week 1 does not end on Saturday. Sunday brings five more games, including Washington State at Washington and Wisconsin vs. Notre Dame. Louisville also faces Ole Miss in Nashville, while SMU visits Florida State on Monday night.
What Comes Next?
Week 2 begins Thursday, September 10, with Florida A&M visiting Miami. The following Saturday features several major games, including Oklahoma at Michigan, Ohio State at Texas, Tennessee at Georgia Tech, and Arkansas at Utah.
The 2026 season also marks the third year of the 12-team College Football Playoff format. The national championship game is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2027, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
