Good morning! Ready for some exciting news? As of yesterday, we're in for a weekly dose of college football all the way through January. The football drought is officially over, waving goodbye to those dog days. However, the football-less Summer didn’t disappoint, with sporting events filled with thrilling upsets, stadium-shaking roars, and well-deserved trophies.

Speaking of trophies, hell of a weekend we just witnessed. We're talking more of Messi Magic, Sugar Sean O’Malley punching his way into UFC 292's world champion title, Spain triumphing in their first Women's World Cup, and Viktor Hovland smashing records on his way to BMW Championship victory. Let’s break it all down!

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 0 PREVIEW

The wait is over. This weekend brings back real, significant football into our lives. While not a complete lineup and perhaps lacking the most glamorous matchups, college football is returning. Here’s your slate of games.

Navy @ (13) Notre Dame

• Saturday, August 26, 2023

• 2:30 pm est | NBC

• In their 96th encounter, Navy and Notre Dame are set to face off, with Notre Dame's historical 81-14 lead. Last season's close match revealed Notre Dame's challenge against Navy's triple-option. In their season opener, Notre Dame's defense grapples with the triple-option's unique demands. Sam Hartman's transfer bolsters Notre Dame's offense, hinting at higher scoring. This historically high-scoring matchup, averaging over 62 points since 2010, expects offensive fireworks despite Notre Dame's defensive hurdles.

UTEP @ Jacksonville State

• Saturday, August 26, 2023

• 5:30 pm est | CBS

• Jax. State and Sam Houston State are transitioning from FCS to FBS, both enjoying success at the previous level. Jax. State reached the FCS national championship in 2015 and made the playoffs 7 times in 10 years, including 2020's 9-2 record under new head coach Rich Rodriguez, known for his stints at West Virginia, Michigan, and Arizona. Rodriguez succeeded John Grass, who led the Gamecocks to 6 playoff appearances. Rodriguez's high-paced offense at West Virginia brought three top-10 finishes and a second-place AP poll ranking in 2007, though an unexpected 9-13 loss to 4-7 Pitt ruined their strong 10-1 season.

UMass @ New Mexico State

• Saturday, August 26, 2023

• 7:00 pm est | ESPN

• Led by Don Brown, UMass seeks a competitive resurgence, while New Mexico State boasts promise with returning quarterback Diego Pavia and a transition to Conference USA. Amidst uncertainty in opening week outcomes, New Mexico State holds potential for a strong home victory under Kill's guidance, setting the stage for their conference campaign. Both teams' narrative redefinition makes this matchup a crucial test.

Ohio @ San Diego State

• Saturday, August 26, 2023

• 7:00 pm est | FS1

• In the Week 0 lineup, the Ohio vs. San Diego State matchup shines, featuring San Diego State's strong defense that ranked top 20 in points allowed per game last season. However, their offensive struggles led to a 7-6 record. Ohio boasts promising quarterback Kurtis Rourke, with an impressive 69% pass completion rate, 25-4 TD-INT ratio, and 249 yards rushing with four touchdowns.

Hawaii @ Vanderbilt

• Saturday, August 26, 2023

• 7:30 pm est | SEC Network

• In last year's season opener in Honolulu, these teams clashed in a massively one-sided match. Vanderbilt dominated against the Rainbow Warriors, rushing for 404 yards and securing five touchdowns.

San José State @ (6) USC

• Saturday, August 26, 2023

• 7:00 pm est | PAC12

• USC starts the season with high hopes under coach Lincoln Riley, but a loss to Utah in the Pac-12 championship dampened their Playoff prospects. With Heisman winner Caleb Williams back, USC aims to dominate this season. Seeking redemption, USC wants a decisive win, yet their defense, ranked 94th among FBS programs last year, remains a concern.

Florida International @ Louisiana Tech

• Saturday, August 26, 2023

• 9:00 pm est | CBS

• In college football action at Joe Aillet Stadium, the Florida International Panthers and the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will face off on Saturday. FIU aims for a rebound after a disappointing 4-8 season last year, while Louisiana Tech also seeks a turnaround following a challenging 3-9 campaign in 2022.

⁉️ TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE DAY

LAST WEEK’S POLL: Which city hosts the minor league baseball team the “Sounds?”

Answer: Nashville

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