Unbeaten and nationally ranked USC is kicking off their Big Ten conference schedule with a cross-country trip to New Jersey in Week 3, set to face Rutgers at 3:30 p.m. ET on September 19th. This isn’t some throwaway early season matchup, folks. This is a game where USC, a popular pick to elevate its status in the Big Ten after a solid 2025 campaign with Jayden Maiava back, has to prove it from the jump. This early test against Rutgers is massive; it’s going to set the tone for their entire Big Ten journey.
Big Ten Battles and Early Separators
It’s going to be a wild season for the Big Ten on CBS. Beyond that crucial USC opener, the network is absolutely loaded with conference action this fall, packing in 14 appearances at that classic 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff slot. Week 4 is bringing us another huge one: Iowa is trekking to Michigan on September 26th for a 3:30 p.m. ET showdown that CBS is calling an “early separator” within the league standings. You know what that means: bragging rights and a leg up in the conference are on the line early! And don’t you dare forget that Black Friday rivalry game on November 27th, when Nebraska heads to Iowa City for a noon ET clash. It’s gonna be epic! The Big Ten on CBS regular season wraps up November 28th at 3:30 p.m. ET with one final game.
Pac-12 Return and Commander-in-Chief Clashes
It’s not only about the Big Ten, though! CBS Sports is throwing some serious love to the Pac-12 too! We’re talking about the return of the new-look league, with CBS bringing coverage of four Pac-12 games, including the Pac-12 Championship Game on December 4th at 8 p.m. ET. That’s huge for the West Coast! They’re even covering some high-profile nonconference games, like BYU at Colorado State on September 19th and Arizona at Washington State on September 26th, which will air at 7:30 p.m. ET. You know those rivalries are gonna deliver! And for those who love tradition, CBS Sports is also featuring three games in the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy rivalry: Army, Navy, and Air Force. That whole thing wraps up with the classic Army-Navy game at MetLife Stadium on December 12th at 3 p.m. ET. And to cap off the year, we get the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 31st at 2 p.m. ET. Talk about a holiday treat!
This 2026 college football slate on CBS looks absolutely packed with must-watch games. From the early season Big Ten battles that could shape the entire conference race to the return of the Pac-12 Championship, there’s something for every fan. It all kicks off with USC’s big trip on September 19th, and honestly, we cannot wait for that first 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff to hit. Get ready to plant yourselves on the couch, folks, because the college football season is gonna be a wild one!
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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