Highlighted by the Florida State Seminoles taking on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Ireland, college football returns this Saturday with a slew of Week 0 games. After that, Week 1 matchups are scheduled to begin on Thursday, Aug. 29, with the Colorado Buffaloes and other Power Four teams in action.
Colorado will open its second season of the head coach Deion Sanders era against the North Dakota State Bison, who are entering their first year under the guidance of head coach Tim Polasek.
Below are the top 10 games to watch in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season:
Date: Aug. 31 at 5 p.m. MT (FS1)
This game may not feature two college football behemoths, but I’ll keep tabs because the Mountain West’s UNLV Rebels are well-positioned to upset a Power Four team in Houston.
Date: Aug. 31 at 1:30 p.m. MT (ESPN)
Playing in their first official game as members of the SEC, the Texas Longhorns should make quick work of Colorado State. Still, Buffs fans should take this opportunity to get an early look at their Week 3 opponent.
Date: Aug. 31 at noon MT (ESPN+)
Similar to Colorado’s battle with North Dakota State, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are faced with fending off an elite lower-Division I program. South Dakota State, the two-time defending Football Championship Subdivision champs, should make things interesting in Stillwater.
7. North Dakota State Bison at Colorado Buffaloes
Date: Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. MT (ESPN)
With a Thursday evening slot on ESPN, plenty of eyes will be on Colorado’s Week 1 battle with North Dakota State. The Buffaloes’ improved offensive and defensive lines should be tested tremendously against the physical Bison.
Date: Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. MT (Fox)
One of the better Power Four vs. Power Four matchups of the week, this should be a close game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and North Carolina Tar Heels.
![Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier looks on during fall football practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/I7JaeuHamC6y8zTlh6968w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/buffaloes_wire_usa_today_articles_968/2eb0063b180eb244c19a87b7a6bd599f)
Date: Aug. 31 at 1:30 p.m. MT (ABC)
The entire Sunshine State should be tuning in to this massive battle between the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Gators. In the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, Miami was ranked No. 19 while the Gators received 11 votes.
Date: Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m. (ABC)
Going back to the preseason coaches poll, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish ranked No. 7 while the Texas A&M Aggies weren’t far behind at No. 20. Expect fireworks at Kyle Field.
Date: Sept. 1 at 5:30 p.m. MT (ABC)
The USC Trojans, playing in their first game as members of the Big Ten, will face the SEC’s LSU Tigers in a rare Sunday evening matchup. Both squads were ranked in the preseason coaches poll.
Date: Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. MT (Fox)
Big 12 fans should watch this Saturday morning game as the West Virginia Mountaineers have an opportunity to upset the Big Ten’s Penn State Nittany Lions.
Date: Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. MT (ABC)
Led by star quarterback Carson Beck, the Georgia Bulldogs will soon begin their quest for three national championships in four years. They’ll be tested in Week 1 by the talented Clemson Tigers, who were ranked No. 14 in the preseason coaches poll.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: The top 10 games to watch in Week 1 of the college football season
