The 2026 college football season explodes this Saturday with a monster quadruple header on CBS Sports Network, and it is going to be a wild ride right from the jump. Week 1 is here, and we are getting a full slate of action starting bright and early, with some serious storylines already shaping up.
Army’s Option Offense Is About To Make Some Noise
First up, get ready for some old-school, ground-and-pound football as Army kicks off its campaign at home against Bryant at noon Eastern. If you remember last season, Jeff Monken’s squad finished 2025 with a solid 7-6 record, capping it off with a convincing bowl win over UConn. Now, they are looking to build on that success, and they have the talent to do it.
The Black Knights are bringing back senior quarterback Cale Hellums, who was an absolute beast in 2025. This guy led the team with an insane 304 carries, piled up 1,223 yards on the ground, and punched in 18 touchdowns. With Hellums back under center, running that notorious option offense, Army should hit the ground running. They are a massive 36.5-point favorite in this opener, and honestly, they have high hopes for an even better 2026.
Navy’s Offense Is a Question Mark, While the Pac-12 Looks Different
Following Army, we shift to Annapolis at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, where Navy gets its season started by hosting Towson. The Midshipmen had a dream season in 2025, winning 11 games and finishing ranked No. 23 in the final AP poll. But here is the big question for 2026: how will their offense fare with a ton of turnover?
Senior quarterback Braxton Woodson is taking over for Blake Horvath, and he is going to have a lot of young skill position talent around him. Navy lost their top three running backs, including their top two pass catchers, from last year’s squad. They are a sizable 30.5-point favorite over FCS Towson, but this game is still going to tell us a lot about how well this new-look offense is ready to execute. After the service academies get things started, the action heads west for the evening slate. Utah State hosts Idaho State in their first game as a member of the new-look Pac-12, followed by Nevada hosting Western Kentucky. That Nevada game is expected to be a highly competitive battle between quality Group of 6 squads.
So clear your Saturday, because Week 1 is here, and it is setting the stage for what looks like a thrilling 2026 season. You do not want to miss a second of this!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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