The 2026 college football season will kick off with a matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. This game is part of an eight-game Week 0 schedule and is set to begin at noon EDT, with ESPN providing coverage.
The Horned Frogs are entering the game as 9.5-point favorites, having posted a record of 9-4 in the last two seasons, both of which concluded with bowl victories. Under the leadership of head coach Sonny Dykes, TCU has achieved a 36-17 record over five seasons, including a trip to the national championship game during his first year.
On the other hand, the Tar Heels, coached by Bill Belichick, are looking to bounce back after a challenging 4-8 season in 2025-26. Belichick noted the difficulties in preparing for the opening game, highlighting the uncertainties that both teams will face. He remarked that there are many factors that remain to be seen once the game starts.
In addition to the TCU-North Carolina game, other notable matchups on Saturday include the No. 14 USC Trojans against the San Jose State Spartans and N.C. State facing Virginia. Most FBS season openers are scheduled for the following week, with several games taking place from Thursday through September 7.
