The 2026 college football season is set to kick off with a matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and the North Carolina Tar Heels in Dublin, Ireland. The game will take place at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, starting at noon EDT, and will be broadcast on ESPN. This contest is part of an eight-game Week 0 lineup.
TCU enters the game as a 9.5-point favorite. The team has recorded a 9-4 record in the last two seasons, finishing both years with bowl wins. Under the leadership of head coach Sonny Dykes, TCU holds a 36-17 overall record during his five seasons, which includes a run to the national championship game in his first year.
Conversely, North Carolina, coached by Bill Belichick, is aiming for improvement after a challenging 2025-26 season that ended with a 4-8 record. Belichick noted the difficulties in preparing for the opening game, stating that both teams face uncertainties. He remarked that the real evaluation will occur once the game begins.
In addition to the TCU-North Carolina game, several other notable matchups are scheduled for Saturday, including the No. 14 USC Trojans against the San Jose State Spartans. Most FBS season openers will take place the following week, featuring various games through September 7.
