College football starts today!
Arkansas fans will have to wait until Aug. 30, when the Hogs open their season against Alabama A&M. But thanks to the relatively new “Week Zero,” college football fans across the country get an early taste before the real grind begins—and this year’s appetizer is a ranked matchup.
No. 17 Kansas State and No. 22 Iowa State will clash overseas in Dublin, Ireland, at the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The game is part of college football’s push to expand its footprint internationally and has delivered some entertaining moments in the past.
Just last year, Georgia Tech stunned Florida State in Dublin—a result that looked like a shock at the time before the Seminoles’ season completely unraveled.
And the overseas showcase is only getting bigger. In 2026, TCU and North Carolina will take the spotlight, followed by Wisconsin and Pittsburgh in 2027.
K-State and Iowa State aren't the only ones kicking off the season early. Four more college football games are slated for today. UNLV is taking on Idaho State. Kansas will play Fresno State. Western Kentucky will open its season against Sam Houston State. And finally, the first day of college football will end in the tropical paradise of Hawai'i as the Warriors take on Stanford.
College football week zero schedule
Iowa State vs Kansas State
Time: 11:00 AM CT
Channel: ESPN
Idaho State vs UNLV
Time: 3:00 PM CT
Channel: SSEN
Fresno State vs Kansas
Time: 5:30 PM CT
Channel: Fox
Sam Houston vs Western Kentucky
Time: 6:00 PM CT
Channel: CBSSN
Stanford vs Hawai'i
Time: 6:30 PM CT
Channel: CBS