It’s the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, which means the full chaos of college football has truly arrived.
There were 21 games on Thursday — including Colorado’s win against perennial FCS powerhouse North Dakota State — and six games Friday before a full slate on Saturday.
No. 1 Georgia got things started with an absolute show of force, blasting No. 14 Clemson 34-3 in their season opener. Heisman favorite Carson Beck was on point throughout, throwing for 278 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Here are the best games to watch the rest of today.
The first game of the season doesn’t make or break a team’s season. But boy, does it feel like there’s a lot at stake in this in-state rivalry game. Miami enters the season with high expectations and a promising transfer quarterback in Cam Ward. The ACC could be up for grabs if Florida State’s surprising loss to Georgia Tech last week. Florida, meanwhile, may need this game for bowl eligibility at the end of the season. Seriously. The Gators have talent on both sides of the ball, but they also have the toughest schedule in college football.
Notre Dame doesn’t shy away from tough openers, and this is no exception. Saturday night is QB Riley Leonard’s first game in a Notre Dame uniform after transferring to Duke, but he’ll be playing behind a revamped offensive line that lost three starters from 2023. First-year Texas A&M coach Mike Elko brings a defense that has lots of new faces but is still plenty talented. And QB Connor Weigman returns as the Aggies’ starting quarterback with the goal of staying healthy for the whole season.
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QB Quinn Ewers (3TDs, 248 yards) and No. 4 Texas are coasting vs. Colorado State as the 2nd half gets going. Longhorns lead 31-0.
This touchdown catch by Jahmal Banks needs to be seen.
Nebraska is rolling UTEP 30-7 at the half.
Miami answers with a TD!
It’s Cam Ward to Xavier Restrepo for a 24-yard touchdown strike. Just like that, the Hurricanes are back up by 14 on the Gators at halftime.
What a start for Jeremiah Smith to his college career. Two TDs already for the 5-start WR recruit.
Ohio State leads Akron 17-3 late in the 1st half.
Touchdown Florida!
Montrell Johnson breathes life back into the Gators with a monster 71-yard sprint down the sideline. That cuts Miami’s lead to 17-10. Game on!
The Longhorns have scored again and it’s a first-half rout.
That’s two thus far for Jeremiah Smith.
Touchdown Miami!
The Hurricanes are back in the end zone with a short run by Mark Fletcher.
Florida went for it on fourth down just past midfield and didn’t get it, so now Miami has the ball back in good position to add to its lead.
Meanwhile, Dylan Raiola’s Nebraska debut is off to a captivating start. The freshman has dropped a few dimes, including this absolute gem to Isaiah Nayor:
Now Penn State’s other star running back is getting in on the action. Nick Singleton just bolted through the West Virginia defense for a 40-yard touchdown.
The Longhorns are getting comfortable in Austin. After a Quinn Ewers TD pass, they’re now up 17-0 on Colorado State.
The Hurricanes worked the ball all the way down to the Florida 5 before settling for a field goal to extend their lead to 10-3.
Penn State-West Virginia restarts
A reminder that it’s 20-6 since it’s been a couple hours.
End of 1Q: Miami 7, Florida 3
The Hurricanes defense holds strong after the turnover and forces a 41-yard field goal by Trey Smack. That’ll do it for the first quarter in Gainesville.
Ohio State has restored order in Columbus and it’s highly touted freshman Jeremiah Smith who finds the end zone for the first time in his career.
Interception Florida!
Florida’s Shemar James comes down with a pick on an errant throw from Miami’s Cam Ward. The Gators will have the ball at the Miami 33-yard line.
Texas is up 7-0 as the first quarter ticks away in Austin, but Quinn Ewers just threw an interception at midfield.
Meanwhile, Ohio State is trailing early against Akron.
Touchdown Miami!
Who else but the crafty veteran Cam McCormick? The ninth-year player catches a crossing route from Cam Ward and takes it in for a 9-yard TD.
