It’s getting near that time of year again, as the 157th college football season is poised kick off, ending another long offseason of recruiting action, transfer portal movement, another active coaching carousel, and eager anticipation looking ahead to the third edition of the 12-team College Football Playoff.Last season, some early action played a consequential role in what the postseason eventually looked like, as the first-ever No. 1 preseason Texas team stumbled in Arch Manning’s first start in a loss at Ohio State, hampering the Longhorns’ playoff hopes and boosting the Buckeyes’ title chances.Here’s what you need to know about the early stages of the 2026 college football season and the most important games on the initial schedule later this summer.When does college football start?Eakin Howard-Imagn ImagesThe annual “Week 0” of the 2026 college football schedule kicks off with five Power Four teams taking the field in the very early action, including an ACC vs. Big 12 battle from the Emerald Isle on Sat., Aug. 29, 2026 from Dublin, Ireland.All times EasternNorth Carolina vs. TCU. Bill Belichick was humiliated in his college football debut a year ago when the Frogs smashed the Tar Heels by a 48-14 count in front of a national audience, but now we’ll see what the eight-time Super Bowl champion was able to come up with for an encore. Sat., Aug. 29 at 12 p.m. on ESPNSan Jose State at USC. Sat., Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. on NBCNew Mexico at Florida State. Sat., Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. on The CWWeek 1 college football scheduleCharles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesThe traditional regular season weekend in college football begins anew on Thursday, September 3, 2026 with 13 games kicking off, followed by another seven games on Friday, September 4, 2026.Saturday, September 5 finds the first full slate of weekly Saturday matchups, including some very impactful early statement games across the country.Miami at StanfordCollege football’s national title runner-up Miami hits the road to open up, returning to a place they very nearly lost two seasons ago, and hit Berkeley with a massive target on their back in an early road test. Fri. Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. on ESPNBaylor vs. AuburnTwo coaches are facing early tests of their own, with Alex Golesh hoping to make a good impression for Auburn, and Dave Aranda looking to prove he belongs at Baylor after a 5-7 campaign. Sat., Sept. 5 at 3:30 p.m. on ABCClemson at LSUThe second Battle of the Death Valleys following LSU’s statement win over Clemson at home a year ago, and now Lane Kiffin is at the helm in Baton Rouge after making the coaching move of the offseason. Sat., Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. on ABCNotre Dame vs. WisconsinLuke Fickell has won 17 of his 38 games at Wisconsin, but has a chance to change the narrative at Lambeau Field against a Notre Dame squad returning its quarterback and looking to make a run at the playoff. Sun., Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. on NBCWashington State at Washington Sun., Sept. 6 at 4 p.m. on NBCLouisville at Ole Miss Sun., Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. on ABCSMU at Florida State Mon., Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNCollege Football Playoff, New Year’s bowl schedule 2026First Round Fri., Dec. 18First Round Sat., Dec. 19First Round Sat., Dec. 19First Round Sat., Dec. 19Quarterfinal RoundFiesta Bowl Wed., Dec. 30Cotton Bowl Fri., Jan. 1Rose Bowl Fri., Jan. 1Peach Bowl Fri., Jan. 1Semifinal RoundOrange Bowl Thurs., Jan. 14Sugar Bowl Fri., Jan. 15National ChampionshipLas Vegas Mon., Jan. 25Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow