The 2026 college football season kicks off with Week 0 this Saturday, and if you haven’t been paying attention, No. 14 USC quarterback Jayden Maiava is already making waves. This guy is leading the Trojans into the new season, fresh off Big Ten preseason honors and taking full control of the offense. After showing flashes last year, Maiava is the absolute key to whether USC can actually push for the College Football Playoff this season.
Week 0 Brings High-Stakes Showdowns
We’ve got some absolute fire starting Saturday, so get ready. North Carolina and TCU are kicking things off overseas in Dublin for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. This is a huge deal, folks, it’s the first international game in North Carolina history and TCU’s first time playing outside the United States. Plus, these two are meeting to open the season for a second straight year. UNC running back Demon June is on the Doak Walker Award preseason watch list, and TCU isn’t slacking, with safety Jamel Johnson, a Bednarik Award watch-list selection, giving them a proven playmaker on defense. Then the No. 14 USC Trojans get their home opener against San Jose State, led by Ken Niumatalolo. It’s awesome to see a ranked team getting right into the thick of it from day one.
New Eras and Fresh Matchups Ignite the Season
Beyond the ranked battles, there’s even more to watch. Memphis and UNLV are closing out Week 0 action in Las Vegas with college football’s first FOX game of 2026. This is huge because these two programs have never met before, giving us a completely fresh matchup. Charles Huff is making his debut as Memphis’s head coach, while Dan Mullen is kicking off his second season at UNLV. Keep an eye on Rebels running back Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas, who’s already been tabbed as the Mountain West’s preseason all-conference selection at his position. It also marks UNLV’s first regular-season appearance ever on FOX. And don’t sleep on North Dakota State, who are making their leap to the FBS level as a Mountain West member after dominating the FCS for years. Talk about a statement move!
With eight FBS games on the Week 0 schedule, there are so many outcomes to keep an eye on as the 2026 college football season gets underway. It’s the unofficial start of what promises to be an insane season, so tune in to the action unfolding.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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