Game On
A Recap of College Football’s Week Zero
After months of anticipation, the 2026-2027 college football season has officially begun. Week zero kicked off the season with exciting games and surprising performances, giving fans an early look at what they can expect from their favorite teams. This week was highlighted by the University of North Carolina’s (UNC) international victory over Texas Christian University (TCU) and the University of Southern California’s (USC) win over San Jose State. However, this weekend marked the final week zero in college football history, as changes to the schedule will force the start of the season to happen earlier starting next year.
Starting off strong, the UNC Tarheels beat the TCU Horned Frogs 15-10 in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday, Aug. 29. This game marked Head Coach Bill Belichick’s first season-opening win since 2020. Right before the half, a botched TCU long snap resulted in a safety, giving UNC a 12-10 lead. The second half saw UNC’s defense shut out TCU during the final eight drives, stopping the Horned Frogs from scoring on two fourth-and-short attempts in Tarheel territory. Through the poor weather conditions, new UNC quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. completed 16 of 28 passes for 232 yards with no turnovers. Outside of the game, the Dublin matchup acted as an institutional trip not only for the football team, but also for the staff, families, friends and fans involved.
Led by a dominant offense and an unstoppable defense, the USC Trojans put it on the San Jose State Spartans 42-26 in their season opener on Saturday, Aug. 29. USC quarterback Jayden Maiava immediately set the tone by rushing for a touchdown on the opening drive, and then finishing 25 of 29 for 286 yards with two passing touchdowns. USC receiver Trent Mosley started his first collegiate season off strong with a touchdown, 118 receiving yards and a 41 yard punt return. Under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson, the USC defense smothered the Spartans by only allowing three touchdowns and two two-point conversions. Although San Jose State scored a few late touchdowns against USC, the Trojans' early control led the team to a great opening victory.
As the 2026-2027 college football season begins and the final week zero comes to a close, these opening games set the tone for a competitive and challenging year. Fans can look forward to exciting and action-filled games as teams across the country gear up for this unforgettable season.
Comments