Weekly college football watch guide: Week 0

College football is back and we’re here to help you navigate through the first Saturday of the season. Here’s what to watch and when.

We’ve made it. Our national nightmare is over. College football returns with a handful of games in week zero. While the main course won’t come until Labor Day weekend, week zero gives us a nice appetizer to prepare us for a four-day feast next weekend.

Unsure how to plan your day on the couch? Come back here weekly to have me do it for you. I’m a college football addict who watches as much as humanly possible. I’ll be there for MACtion, the Fun Belt, Pac-12 after dark, and everything in between.

We only have seven games in Week 0. Depending on your cable or streaming package, you may only be able to watch as many as three. So, the watch guide is fairly straightforward this weekend. But don’t worry, things will pick up in a hurry.

Let’s get to it. All kickoff times are in the Eastern Standard Time Zone.

Afternoon

Navy vs. Notre Dame – 2:30 pm on NBC & Peacock

Naturally, the American college football season kicks off in Ireland. This is the most widely marketed game of the day, but not the best. Notre Dame comes in as big favorites against a Navy team with a new head coach. The nice thing about this game is that it should be easily accessible to everyone, and it will feature two brands most people are familiar with. Let’s hope the Midshipmen can find a way to keep this close and at least somewhat entertaining.

Early evening

UTEP at Jacksonville State – 5:30 pm on CBS Sports Network

There are two very interesting storylines in this game. First, we get to see an old friend in a new location. Rich Rodriguez surfaces again as a college head coach at Jacksonville State. Second, we get to see Jacksonville State in their first game at the FCS level. The point spread (UTEP -1.5) indicates that this game should be close. This one has the potential to get wild.

Quick side note here about CBS Sports Network. If you don’t have it, look into getting it. They feature a lot of exciting games between Group of Five teams all season long.

Evening

UMass at New Mexico State – 7 pm on ESPN

Ohio at San Diego State – 7 pm on FS1

Hawaii at Vanderbilt – 7:30 pm on SEC Network

San Jose State at USC – 8 pm on Pac-12 Network

The best game of the day, to me, is Ohio at San Diego State. If you didn’t catch a glimpse of him last year, keep an eye on Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke. The MAC offensive player of the year will be tested against what is usually a stout defense in San Diego State.

If you think you’re a college football diehard, there is no better way to test your dedication than to watch four quarters of UMass and New Mexico State. These two teams should be among the worst in the country, and this game shouldn’t feature much offense. The last two games will be difficult to watch for most.

But don’t worry, you shouldn’t miss much. Neither game projects to be competitive.

Late night

Florida International at Louisiana Tech – 9 pm on CBS Sports Network

See, without CBS Sports Network, you’re missing out on this barn burner. FIU was one of the worst teams in America in 2022. Former Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier is now slinging the rock in Ruston for the Bulldogs.

It won’t be pretty. But hey, it’s college football. Enjoy Week 0, everybody.