The anticipation for the 2024 college football season is already building, following Michigan’s dramatic victory in last year’s College Football Playoff. As excitement grows, the 2024 season is poised to deliver thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments.
The season is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, August 24, during “Week Zero,” with many Division I teams beginning their campaigns the following week. The schedule includes several key games for the opening weekend.
Highlighted matchups for Week Zero on August 24 include:
– Aer Lingus College Football Classic: No. 10 Florida State vs. Georgia Tech in Dublin, Ireland at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN
– McNeese at Tarleton State at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2
– Montana State at New Mexico at 4 p.m. ET on FS1
– FCS Kickoff: North Alabama vs. Southeast Missouri State, live from Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
– MEAC/SWAC Challenge: Norfolk State vs. Florida A&M in Atlanta, Georgia at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
– SMU at Nevada at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network
Following Week Zero, the 2024 season’s first full week will commence on August 31, coinciding with Labor Day weekend. Key matchups include:
Thursday, August 29
– North Carolina at Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET on Fox
– North Dakota State at Colorado at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
– Sacramento State at San Jose State at 10 p.m. ET on truTV and Max
Friday, August 30
– TCU at Stanford at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Saturday, August 31
– Aflac Kickoff Game: No. 14 Clemson vs. No. 1 Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 12 p.m. ET on ABC
– No. 8 Penn State at West Virginia at 12 p.m. ET on Fox
– No. 19 Miami (FL) at Florida at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
– No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC
– Sunday, September 1: Orange Blossom Classic: North Carolina Central vs. Alabama State at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN
– Monday, September 2: Boston College at No. 10 Florida State at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Additional noteworthy early-season nonconference games include Texas at Michigan and Alabama at Wisconsin on September 7 and September 14, respectively.
The 2024 season marks the 11th iteration of the College Football Playoff and introduces a new 12-team format. The playoff schedule is as follows:
– First round: Week of Saturday, December 21
– Quarterfinals: Fiesta Bowl on December 31, Peach Bowl on January 1, Rose Bowl on January 1, Sugar Bowl on January 1
– Semifinals: Orange Bowl on January 9, Cotton Bowl on January 10
– CFP National Championship Game: Monday, January 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
This championship will be notable as it marks the first time a venue hosts the CFP National Championship Game for a second time. Last season, Michigan claimed the College Football Playoff National Championship, adding another chapter to its storied football history.