It’s the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, which means the full chaos of college football has truly arrived.
Week 0 was just an appetizer, but things really get going this weekend as there are three matchups between teams ranked in the AP Top 25.
There were 21 games on Thursday — including Colorado’s win against perennial FCS powerhouse North Dakota State — and six games Friday before things really get going on Saturday. Here are the games that you need to make sure to watch this weekend.
All times are Eastern
Time: Noon | TV: ABC | Line: Georgia -13.5 | Total: 48.5
The day starts with one of the best matchups of the week. Clemson enters this game looking to get its offense on track after a rough first season under offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and led by QB Cade Klubnik. Both are back and hoping to improve against an uber-talented Georgia team led by Heisman hopeful QB Carson Beck. Though the Bulldogs may be missing running backs Roderick Robinson (injury) and Trevor Etienne (suspension), they’ll still be heavily favored in the neutral-site game in Atlanta.
Time: Noon | TV: Fox | Line: Penn State -8.5 | Total: 51.5
It’s our first chance to get a glimpse of what could be a totally new Penn State offense. The Nittany Lions hired former Kansas co-offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki to be PSU’s new offensive coordinator and his biggest task is to help Drew Allar play better in big games. West Virginia should be a good first test. The Mountaineers were 9-4 a season ago and bring back the majority of an offense that scored over 31 points per game last season.
Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: Miami -2.5 | Total: 54.5
The first game of the season doesn’t make or break a team’s season. But boy, does it feel like there’s a lot at stake in this in-state rivalry game. Miami enters the season with high expectations and a promising transfer quarterback in Cam Ward. The ACC could be up for grabs if Florida State‘s surprising loss to Georgia Tech last week. Florida, meanwhile, may need this game for bowl eligibility at the end of the season. Seriously. The Gators have talent on both sides of the ball, but they also have the toughest schedule in college football.
Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: Texas A&M -3 | Total: 46.5
Notre Dame doesn’t shy away from tough openers, and this is no exception. Saturday night is QB Riley Leonard’s first game in a Notre Dame uniform after transferring to Duke, but he’ll be playing behind a revamped offensive line that lost three starters from 2023. First-year Texas A&M coach Mike Elko brings a defense that has lots of new faces but is still plenty talented. And QB Connor Weigman returns as the Aggies’ starting quarterback with the goal of staying healthy for the whole season.
Time: 7:30 p.m. Sunday | TV: ABC | Line: LSU -4.5 | Total: 64.5
If the best game of the weekend isn’t in Atlanta, it very well could be in Las Vegas. Both teams are looking to answer defensive questions from last season and be in the mix for the College Football Playoff. For LSU, Garrett Nussmeier takes over at QB for Heisman winner Jayden Daniels and the team also has to replace first-round wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. For USC, QB Miller Moss officially takes over for Caleb Williams after a stellar bowl game.
