College Football Opens Week Zero With 8 Games as UNC-TCU Starts Belichick's Year 2
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 24
College Football Opens Week Zero With 8 Games as UNC-TCU Starts Belichick's Year 2
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 24
Summary
Eight Week Zero games on Aug. 29 open the 2026 college football season, with North Carolina facing TCU in Dublin to launch Bill Belichick's second year after UNC's 4-8 finish.
TCU enters after a 9-4 season and last year's 48-14 rout of UNC, while the Tar Heels hand the quarterback job to Billy Edwards Jr. after an offseason overhaul.
No. 14 USC is the only AP-ranked team in action, hosting San Jose State behind Jayden Maiava after a 9-4 season and major receiver losses to the NFL draft.
ACC play also starts immediately with NC State meeting Virginia, whose 11-3 2025 campaign set a program record for wins and ended with an ACC title-game overtime loss.
Florida State opens under pressure after going 5-7, and Memphis-UNLV closes the slate with UNLV carrying Group of Six playoff buzz into a new season.