Week 0 of the 2026 college football season kicks off with UNC-TCU game in Ireland and several program debuts
Eight FBS games opened Week 0, highlighted by North Carolina's 12-10 lead over TCU in Dublin, while North Dakota State and Sacramento State made their FBS debuts.
The 2026 college football season began with Week 0 action, featuring eight FBS contests and a slate of FCS matchups. In the opening game in Dublin, Ireland, North Carolina held a 12-10 advantage over TCU after a safety on a UNC punt in the second quarter. The game marked the first time UNC has led at halftime against a Power Five opponent under head coach Bill Belichick.
Chicago State recorded its program’s first points with a rushing touchdown by Michael Dabney Jr., while Division II Roosevelt led 24-7 against the Wildcats late in the second quarter. Ranked play started with No. 14 Southern California hosting San Jose State at 3 p.m. ET.
ESPN introduced a new on-screen graphics format for regular-season games, removing the BottomLine ticker and relocating score alerts to the top right corner of the broadcast.
The week also saw two former FCS powerhouses begin their FBS eras: North Dakota State hosted Jacksonville State at 5:30 p.m. on CBSSN, and Sacramento State faced Eastern Michigan at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Former NFL star Marshall Faulk made his head-coaching debut as Southern faced Alabama State in the Birmingham Football Classic, while Quinn Gray took over at Florida A&M against D-II Albany State.
Defending FCS champion Montana State opened its schedule on the road against Utah Tech at 10 p.m. ET.
The day’s schedule continued into the night with UNLV and Memphis playing a 10 p.m. kickoff on FOX, both seeking College Football Playoff consideration.