College Football TV Guide: The Best Games to Watch in Week 0
Week 0 of College Football is upon us, and we’re going to keep this week’s TV guide short and sweet. As you’ll already know, The Touchdown has been packed with great articles focusing on the opening weekend, so we won’t retread old ground too heavily here.
UK fans now have access to College Football like never before, but this year that access comes at a price. Each week, we’ll make it clear which games we think are the best at every kickoff slot, and exactly where you can watch them in both the US and the UK.
The 5pm kickoff this Saturday should have your undivided attention. Dublin once again plays host to the season curtain-raiser, and the Irish hospitality is never in question. The game also has plenty riding on it. An under-pressure Bill Belichick brings his North Carolina team across the pond as 7-point underdogs.
They lost to the same opponent on last year’s opening weekend, 48-14, even though the Tar Heels lead the overall series 3-1. TCU will have to bed in a new QB and Offensive Coordinator in Jaden Craig and Gordon Sammis, but the Horned Frogs have scored 28+ points in their previous 30 regular-season non-conference games.
If that happens again, Bobby Petrino’s North Carolina offense may struggle to keep pace. They will hope Belichick’s defensive pedigree can help slow the Horned Frogs down, while veteran OC Petrino schemes up some easy completions for new QB Billy Edwards Jr. For everyone’s sake, let’s hope this one stays close right until the death.
Main Screen
The NC State vs Virginia matchup should have taken place in Brazil, but the ACC didn’t think organisers could pull it off. So the Cavaliers get home advantage, and they are 5.5-point favourites even though NC State won 35-31 last year and have won six of the last seven meetings. The Wolfpack shouldn’t be underestimated, given the continuity CJ Bailey provides at quarterback. He has genuine star potential, and this could be the perfect stage to showcase his talent.
Second Screen
It’s worth setting your tablet or laptop up to keep an eye on USC’s opening game against San Jose State. Even though the Trojans are 37.5-point favourites, this should be the first opportunity for QB Jayden Maiava to stuff the stat sheet and kickstart his Heisman campaign. Look out for King Miller as the early battering ram in the run game, while nickel corner Alex Graham heads a youthful secondary.
Main Screen
Most have Stanford pegged as ACC cellar dwellers, so a tricky opening fixture against Hawai’i isn’t the most straightforward proposition. This one went the Rainbow Warriors’ way last year via a last-minute field goal, but the Cardinal now have home advantage and another offseason refresh under GM Andrew Luck, hence them entering as 5.5-point favourites. Can new Head Coach and former Luck backup Tavita Pritchard turn Michigan transfer Davis Warren into more than a game manager?
Second Screen
Florida State should deal with New Mexico State in a fairly straightforward manner, but we all know things don’t always roll that way in college football. Mike Norvell is under immense pressure at FSU, and any sign of weakness will be jumped on. If this one is genuinely close going into the second half, you may need a screen switch. However, Texas transfer Quintrevion Wisner and star receiver Duce Robinson should be too strong for the Aggies to put up a true fight.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.