It’s the first Friday in September, and there are college football games on the TV schedule. To steal my introduction from The Cure, “I don’t care if Monday’s blue, Tuesday’s grey and Wednesday too. Thursday I don’t care about you, it’s Friday, I’m in love.” We’ve got all the games, where to find them, and which college football matchups you should be circling on the schedule today as the nation rekindles its love affair with the best sport on earth.
College football games on TV today
What time and channels can you watch college football games today?
Today’s college football TV schedule
- #10 North Carolina at Virginia Tech | 6 PM ET | ESPN
- Duke at Charlotte | 7 PM ET | CBS Sports
- Old Dominion at Wake Forest | 7 PM ET | ESPN
- St. Francis (PA) at Eastern Michigan | 7 PM ET | ESPN3
- South Dakota at Kansas | 8 PM ET | ESPN+
- Michigan State at Northwestern | 9 PM ET | ESPN
- Northern Colorado at Colorado | 9 PM ET | Pac-12 Video
- South Dakota State at Colorado State | 9 PM ET | FOX
Top games to watch today
After Thursday’s laundry list of games, there’s a slightly smaller slate of college football games on TV today. Nevertheless, there are two all-conference clashes, the potential for an FCS over FBS shock (we’re looking at you, South Dakota State), and several 2022 NFL Draft first-round prospects on show today.
North Carolina at Virginia Tech
We have all-ACC action to open today’s college football games. Virginia Tech hosts North Carolina in what will be a tough test for Mack Brown’s Tar Heels team. Although UNC came out on top of a barn burner last fall, the Hokies have a 24-13-6 historical advantage over the Heels. Furthermore, North Carolina hasn’t won in Blacksburg since 2015.
The stakes are high for the Hokies. Justin Fuente heads into the season on something of a hot seat after a disappointing campaign. Virginia Tech went 5-6 last fall, their second losing season in three years. A winning start against a preseason top-10 team would alleviate some of that pressure. There’s talent in the group, with Lecitus Smith holding down the line, tight end James Mitchell an under-the-radar prospect, and Amaré Barno one of the conference’s top pass rushers.
Talent is something that gushed out of Chapel Hill this fall. The UNC offense was ravaged by the NFL Draft, leaving some analysts predicting a fall from grace for UNC. However, they have a Heisman contender in Sam Howell under center, an experienced offensive line, and bolstered their backfield with Ty Chandler from Tennessee. With a breakout wide receiver in Josh Downs, the offense won’t skip a beat.
This college football game today could be too close to call. Yet, North Carolina should sneak an opening day win. What we do know is there will be points. At least one of the teams has scored 30+ points in all but one of their last six meetings.
Michigan State at Northwestern
Although neither offense is alluring, Michigan State and Northwestern is still a must-watch college football game. It could turn into an all-Big Ten bar fight. You know what I mean, right? It has the potential to get really ugly, and you know you probably should avert your gaze, but for some reason, you can’t take your eyes off it.
While the Wildcats have been akin to a football rollercoaster, going from 9-5 in 2018 to 3-9 in 2019 and then 7-2 last fall, they’ll challenge in the conference when everything goes right for them. Pat Fitzgerald’s team was one of the best defensive units in the nation last season, and in Brandon Joseph, they unearthed an exceptional playmaker on that side of the ball.
Meanwhile, Mel Tucker’s defensive roots should ensure that Michigan State shows progress on that side of the ball. They forced 4 turnovers in the win over Northwestern last fall, their second consecutive win over the Wildcats. And it’s likely that this game turns into a defensive slugfest with the expected regression of the Northwestern offense as QB Peyton Ramsey is no longer with the program.
Northwestern is an understandable favorite to win today’s college football game. However, with just a 3-point spread from some oddsmakers, Michigan State kicker Matt Coghlin could be the Spartans’ savior in a shocking victory.