The 2026 college football season opens Saturday with eight games involving FBS teams, per CBS Sports. The slate includes North Carolina versus TCU, which will be played in Dublin, and USC and Florida State openers among the Week 0 matchups being ranked by watchability across outlets.

Beyond the season's opening weekend, an early November stretch has emerged as the season's most compelling viewing window, according to CBS Sports' ranking of each week by watchability. The reporting does not specify which matchups constitute that elite collection of games.

As teams prepare for the season, several Power Four contenders have dealt with injuries during fall camp. CBS Sports is tracking major starters who have missed time ahead of the 2026 season openers. The 2026 offseason has also featured notable coaching hires, with Bill Belichick taking over at North Carolina and Lane Kiffin positioned to be among the prominent figures spotlighted during the season, per Sportsnet.