College football FBS I schedule, games play 2024: TV stations, start times on Saturdays, and what to watch in Week 1
There are a lot of big games on the opening Saturday in college football.
This Saturday marks the start of a new era for college football as it is the first full Saturday of the 2024 season. There are now just four big leagues and the College Football Playoff has tripled in size as a result of the Pac-12's dissolution. Conference realignment and the addition of the 12-team CFP are two of the biggest developments to date in a period of transition for the sport.
Postseason expansion and conference realignment will radically change the public-facing product and the way seasons unfold, even though mass transfers and NIL have had a historic impact on the player experience. For instance, there is still a slim chance that the victor of this Saturday's game between No. 1 Georgia and No. 14 Clemson will make it to the College Football Playoffs.
Moreover, since this time last year, three coaches who had won national titles have left the sport. Amidst two NCAA investigations into the Wolverines, Jimbo Fisher of Texas A&M was fired, Nick Saban of Alabama retired, and Jim Harbaugh of Michigan left for the NFL. The next phase of college football's voyage will begin on Saturday, when each of their replacements will make their debuts.
Oh, and before the ball is snapped, quarterbacks and middle linebackers are not talking to themselves on the field, despite appearances to the contrary. Coaches and one player from each side of the football may now communicate through helmets for the last fifteen seconds of the play clock.
Oh, and before the ball is snapped, quarterbacks and middle linebackers are not talking to themselves on the field, despite appearances to the contrary. Coaches and one player from each side of the football may now communicate through helmets for the last fifteen seconds of the play clock.
When this season of transition commences, which games should you watch out for? To assist you in navigating through the Week 1 action, here is a viewer's guide.
The greatest rank games
Top-ranked Georgia vs. top-ranked Clemson (in Atlanta) at 12:00 on ABC and fuboTV (free trial): The main event on Saturday will feature a thrilling matchup between the two coaches still in active position who have won national titles during the College Football Playoff era. Georgia's Kirby Smart program is the best in college football, but Dabo Swinney's Tigers can upset expectations and throw the 2024 season on its head before September arrives.
Top-ranked Georgia vs. top-ranked Clemson (in Atlanta) at 12:00 on ABC and fuboTV (free trial): The main event on Saturday will feature a thrilling matchup between the two coaches still in active position who have won national titles during the College Football Playoff era. Georgia's Kirby Smart program is the best in college football, but Dabo Swinney's Tigers can upset expectations and throw the 2024 season on its head before September arrives.
No. 8 Penn State against. West Virginia, televised at 12:00 on Fox and fuboTV (free trial): West Virginia will be looking to exact revenge for their 38-15 loss to Penn State in the season's opening game the previous year. winning nine games and establishing an offensive identity. Given the location of the game, the rematch ought to be more competitive.
3:30 p.m. on CBS, the CBS Sports App (Free), and Paramount+ with Showtime: Akron vs. No. 2 Ohio State
This should be a tasty introduction to an Ohio State squad that may win the championship or lose. The Buckeyes made significant financial investments to entice top transfer prospects and resign great defensive players. In Ryan Day's seventh season, the Buckeyes are brimming with possibility for a national championship. It's time to see how it seems on the field now.
No. 5 Alabama vs. Western Kentucky, 7 p.m. on ESPN and fuboTV (free trial): The last time Alabama had a coach other than Nick Saban was George W. Bush. Now it's the turn of Kalen DeBoer. In his Crimson Tide debut, the former Washington coach takes on a Western Kentucky team that has advanced to five consecutive bowl games. TJ Finley, the former quarterback for Auburn and LSU, is leading the Hilltoppers, and he may present some difficulties.
Miami at Florida, No. 19 -- ABC, fuboTV (try it free), 3:30 p.m.: Both schools are under a lot of pressure in its opener. After a sad 12–13 start to the native son's reign, Miami is all in for Year 3 of the Mario Cristobal era with a few high-profile recruits. Under third-year coach Billy Napier, Florida is just 11-14 so far. With the nation's toughest schedule, Florida needs to win a lot of games early on if it hopes to make it to a bowl game.
20 Texas A&M vs. 7 Notre Dame -- 7:30 p.m. on ABC, fuboTV (try it free): After an incredible two years at Duke, Mike Elko takes the helm at Texas A&M for his first head coaching position. He is familiar with the quarterback leading the opposition. Mike Denbrock, the new offensive coordinator, has given Riley Leonard the task of improving the Fighting Irish's attack. Leonard was a huge offseason gate addition for the Fighting Irish and a star player for the Blue Devils under Elko.
Top of the others Game
* Vanderbilt at. Virginia Tech, 12:00 on ESPN and fuboTV (free trial available)
* At noon on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, and the CBS Sports App (Free), Bucknell takes on Navy. miami hurricanes football vs florida gators
* Merrimack at the Air Force -- CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, and the CBS Sports App (Free) at 3:30 p.m.
* No. 4 Texas vs. Colorado State, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN and fuboTV (free trial available)
Forman at Ole Miss No. 6 -- SEC Network+, 7 p.m.
* Fresno State at Michigan's ninth rank -- NBC, fuboTV (try for free), 7:30 p.m.
* Hawaii's UCLA CBS, CBSSports.com, the CBS Sports App (Free), and Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free) at 7:30 p.m.
* Idaho vs. No. 3 Oregon, Big Ten Network, fuboTV (free trial available) at 7:30