According to research, there are four great questions of life. Who am I? Where do I come from? What is my purpose? Where am I going? Yet, that research excludes the most important one of all: When does the college football season start? Luckily, we can answer that key question in our daily existence right now.
When Does the College Football Season Start?
The 2023-2024 college football season starts on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. Although some media and fans might like to forget the existence of Week 0, that marks the official start of the season. Why wouldn’t you want an extra weekend of football action?
For the 2023 CFB season, there are seven games scheduled for Week 0. Those include multiple C-USA clashes that will bring an extra competitive element to the opening weekend’s festivities.
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Meanwhile, college football takes a trip across the pond to Dublin, Ireland, as Notre Dame welcomes Navy to the “Emerald Isle.” Their appearance in Week 0 gives us a first look at Sam Hartman under center for the Fighting Irish.
Meanwhile, Navy ushers in a new dawn with a head coach change for the first time in 16 years. Can Brian Newberry’s Midshipmen shock Notre Dame when the 2023 season starts on Aug. 26?
Full Week 0 Schedule for the 2023 College Football Season
Hawaii @ Vanderbilt
The 2023 college football season starts with a rematch of a Week 0 clash from the 2022 campaign. After losing 63-10 to the Commodores last August, can Timmy Chang’s second season in charge of the Rainbow Warriors get off to a brighter start?
Vanderbilt boasts one of the top WRs in the SEC in the form of Will Sheppard, who found the end zone twice in the 2022 clash.
San Jose State @ USC
Caleb Williams begins the defense of his Heisman Trophy in one of the marquee matchups of opening weekend. USC has won all five clashes with San Jose State, who return QB Chevan Cordeiro under center.
Can the Mountain West’s leading passing offense from last season cause issues for a Trojans defense that struggled in 2022?
Navy vs. Notre Dame
The long-running game between Navy and Notre Dame heads to Ireland for the 94th edition with the Fighting Irish on a five-game win streak. The two teams met in Dublin back in 2012 in a one-sided 50-10 Notre Dame win.
The Fighting Irish boasts one of the best RB rooms in the nation, making this clash with the Navy option offense a must-watch for ground game fanatics.
UMass @ New Mexico State
After reaching a bowl game for only the fifth time in program history, Jerry Kill’s New Mexico State Aggies team will look to get off to a fast start when they start the 2023 college football campaign in Week 0 against UMass.
Watch out for Aggies quarterback Diego Pavia who is ranked as the second-best passer in Conference USA by College Football Network.
Ohio @ San Diego State
One of the most exciting clashes of Week 0 of the 2023 college football season sees the Ohio Bobcats and San Diego State Aztecs meet for just the second time. Tim Albin’s Ohio team is an offensive juggernaut behind Kurtis Rourke and Sieh Bangura.
Meanwhile, Brady Hoke’s Aztecs have a history of defensive dominance. Something must give when they open the season.
UTEP @ Jacksonville State
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks begin life in the FBS with an all-C-USA clash with UTEP in Week 0. Although the Miners lost one half of their double-headed RB monster, the returning Deion Hankins could give the Gamecocks an uncomfortable start to FBS life. That said, don’t sleep on a JSU team that has historically proven dangerous for FBS opposition.
FIU @ Louisiana Tech
Two overtime touchdowns from Lexington Joseph last October gave FIU their first win in five attempts against their C-USA foe. Can the Panthers repeat when the two teams meet in Week 0?
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Louisiana Tech landed former Boise State QB Hank Bachmeier from the transfer portal, who could prove the catalyst for an offense that boasts some of the top running backs and wide receivers in the conference.
Key Dates on the 2023 College Football Calendar
Every day of the 2023 college football season is one to savor and enjoy. However, there are some key dates that will define the destination of the 2023-2024 National Championship.
- Week 0: Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023
- Week 1: Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023
- Conference Championship Weekend: Dec. 1 and Dec. 2, 2023
- College Football Playoff Selection Sunday: Dec. 3, 2023
- Transfer Portal Window Opens: Monday, Dec. 4, 2023
- Army vs. Navy: Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023
- Early Signing Period: Dec. 20, 2023, until Dec. 22, 2023
- College Football Playoff Semifinal: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2024
- College Football National Championship Game: Monday, Jan. 8, 2024
- National Signing Day: Feb. 7, 2024
