The 2026 college football season will kick off 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 schedule 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 head coach Sonny Dykes, the team has a 36-17 record over five seasons, which includes a notable appearance in the national championship game during his first year.
On the other hand, North Carolina, coached by Bill Belichick, is aiming for improvement after a challenging 2025-26 season that ended with a 4-8 record. Belichick noted the difficulties of preparing for the opening game, highlighting the uncertainties that both teams will face.
He remarked on the various unknowns present for both his squad and their opponents, stressing that the real challenge will be revealed once the game commences.
In addition to the TCU-North Carolina game, other matchups on Saturday include the No. 14 USC Trojans against the San Jose State Spartans, with USC favored by 38.5 points, as well as games featuring N.C. State, North Dakota State, and Florida State. Most FBS season openers will take place the following week, with numerous games scheduled from Thursday through September 7.