Saturdays are officially back, as NCAA football returns today — a great reason to stay inside and turn on some games. We've got college games on all day long, from 12 p.m. ET first kickoff with #1 Texas vs. #3 Ohio State on FOX until the final kickoff of the day at 11 p.m. ET between Utah vs. UCLA on FOX.
Below, find the must-watch college football games on the Week 1 schedule, and exactly where to watch them (or stream them), from the early window all the way through the late-night action. We've dug into every Week 1 game to bring you the ones you have to watch — or at least keep an eye on — on Saturday.
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Lee Corso's Final College GameDay
Time: Starts at 9 a.m. ET, picks at 11:45 a.m. ET
Where to Watch: ESPN (FOX will also broadcast the final pick from Corso)
What to Watch For: Legendary 90-year-old analyst Lee Corso will say goodbye with a final send-off and his final headgear selection for the massive Texas vs. Ohio State game. Expect something special for one of the most iconic personaliites in college football history before we get into real game action today.
#1 Texas vs. #3 Ohio State
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: FOX
What to Watch For: By far, this is the most anticipated regular season game as things stand now, and it's as close to a pro game you're going to find in college — with a more electric environment. This is a can't miss.
Texas QB Arch Manning — the Heisman frontrunner — takes over the starting QB job in a 2024 College Football Playoff rematch. Texas also retains a ton of pieces from the team that played this Ohio State team tight for three quarters less than a year ago before losing to the eventual National Champions.
On the Ohio State side, WR Jeremiah Smith will steal the show; that is, if QB Julian Sayin can get the ball to him in his first start. Last year, Smith had 1 catch for 3 yards vs. Texas despite an explosive second half to the season.
Syracuse vs. #24 Tennessee
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: ABC
What to Watch For: The Nico Iamaleava trial is over in Tennessee, as he moves onto UCLA via the transfer portal. With RB Dylan Sampson also moving on to the NFL, Tennessee has a lot to figure out on offense after getting run by Ohio State in the 2024 College Football Playoff.
Mississippi State vs. Southern Mississippi
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: ESPN
What to Watch For: With new head coach Charles Huff and a bevy of transfer from Marshall, Southern Mississippi is going to get up for this game in a big way against in-state rivals. Sure, there is a clear favorite, but this should be a fun watch with a ton of energy on both sides.
Toledo vs. Kentucky
Time: 12:45 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: SEC Network
What to Watch For: The frontrunner in the MAC returns QB Tucker Gleason and most of their offensive production outside of Jerjuan Newton, but the Rockets run into a strong Kentucky defense that's used to SEC offenses. Is the best in the MAC able to hang with a middling SEC team?
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#8 Alabama vs. Florida State
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: ABC
What to Watch For: Both teams are coming off disappointing seasons — Florida State only two wins, and Alabama missing the Playoffs. This is also a rare home underdog Week 1 spot, which adds some appeal as the Seminoles look to get back on track with their new QB Tommy Castellanos.
Although many will say this game is one sided — which is fair considering Florida State's 2024 performance – this has the feeling of one that stays close, especially considering how Alabama finished 2024.
#9 LSU vs. #4 Clemson
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: ABC
What to Watch For: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik improved again and finished 2024 on a high note and now returns for his third season as a starter. He put up career highs in passing yards (3,639), rushing yards (463), pass TDs (36), and cut down on INTs (6). He's a Heisman frontrunner, but he gets a tough test on primetime here. Huge opportunity for Klubnik to cement himself in the best college football QB discussion.
Hawai'i vs. Arizona
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: TNT/HBO Max
What to Watch For: Hawai'i QB Micah Alejado gutted out an injury to lead the Rainbow Warriors to a Week 1 comeback win, but he's expected to play. Although he had some special magic in that Week 0 win, it's hard to imagine he's 100 percent. That could make things ugly as Hawai'i has to play this game away from home. Also — college football on a TNT broadcast? That's unfamiliar to me.
Utah vs. UCLA
Time: 11 p.m. ET
Where to Watch: FOX
What to Watch For: Transfer QB Nico Iamaleava will make his first start for UCLA, trying to leave the NIL drama behind him. He's impressed at camp, but all eyes will be on him here. The bigger concern is if he can make quicker decisions and get the ball out of his hand in a reasonable amount of time. That might be made a bit easier vs. a Big 12 defense vs. the SEC defenses he saw in 2024.
College football is back, and Saturdays just got a whole lot better. NFL is still a week away, but the chase for a coveted spot in the 12-team takes off as the top teams will take the field for Week 1.
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