College football’s Week 0 served as a nice appetizer for the upcoming season, but now comes the main course as Week 1 brings a full slate of action. With teams kicking off from every conference, and postponements or cancelations expected to be far less common, this week’s schedule will feel jam-packed compared to anything from last September.
CBS Sports Network will be carrying a marathon of games on Saturday, starting at noon Eastern and going until well past midnight. But it all gets started even earlier than that when Duke travels to Charlotte on Friday evening to whet your appetite for what’s ahead.
The five games on CBS Sports Network feature two power conference squads, several Group of Five teams with conference title aspirations, and a couple of Independent programs readjusting to fall action after sitting out in 2020. Storylines abound from the matchups and there is sure to be some drama as things finally get sorted out on the field.
Here is the full rundown of all the Week 1 action on CBS Sports Network.
Duke vs. Charlotte
Date: Friday, Sept. 3 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Jerry Richardson Stadium — Charlotte, North Carolina
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Need to know: A 53-19 victory over Charlotte marked one of Duke’s two victories last season, but the 49ers actually registered more first downs than the Blue Devils. Had Duke not blocked a pair of punts, the game would have been more of a contest. Since Charlotte now gets Duke on its home turf, expect a closer game as the 49ers try to turn a corner under third-year coach Will Healy. The 36-year-old is regarded by some as a rising star in the profession and upsetting an in-state ACC foe would would constitute a signature win. On the flip side, another authoritative victory against Charlotte might signal that Duke can do more this season than most expect. After all, the Blue Devils replace more starters than most of their ACC peers following a rough season.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 4 | Time: Noon ET
Location: Pratt & Whitney Stadium — East Hartford, Connecticut
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Need to know: UConn’s return to football in Week 0 was not particularly pleasant as the Huskies lost 45-0 at Fresno State in their first game since November of 2019. Saturday’s contest against Holy Cross offers an opportunity to get back in the win column, though victory is certainly not a given. The Crusaders have established themselves as a solid FCS program under fourth-year coach Bob Chesney and played UConn close in 2017 before losing 27-20.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 4 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Navy – Marine Corps Memorial Stadium — Annapolis, Maryland
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Need to know: Despite the coaching transition from Doc Holiday to Charles Huff, the Thundering Herd are generating buzz as a Conference USA title contender. That makes sense considering most starters are back from a squad that started 7-0 last season. There are no obvious deficiencies on this roster and the promise of development for sophomore quarterback Grant Wells brings optimism. Handling Navy in the opener will be a challenge, though, as the Midshipmen look to recover from a 3-7 season marked by struggles with the program’s signature triple option attack. You can bet veteran coach Ken Niumatalolo is motivated to start strong following a 55-3 loss to BYU in last season’s opener — a game in which the Midshipmen were outclassed in part due to preseason COVID-19 precautions.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 4 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Peden Stadium — Athens, Ohio
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Need to know: Frank Solich stepped down as Ohio’s coach in July to focus on his health after 16 seasons on the job. But with longtime assistant Tim Albin stepping in as Solich’s successor, there should be little drop-off for one of the MAC’s most consistent programs. Running back De’Montre Tuggle is a star in the making and ought to challenge a Syracuse defense that gave up 209.1 rushing yards per game last season. The Orange hit 10 wins in 2018, but won only five in 2019 before falling off to a dismal 1-10 record last season. Offensive line injuries exposed a lack of depth, but the Orange should be significantly better up front and far more competitive.
Date: Saturday, Sept. 4 | Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
Location: Dignity Health Sports Park — Carson, California
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder]
Live stream: CBSSports.com | Mobile: CBS Sports App
Need to know: The Aztecs produced one of the Mountain West’s best defenses last season during Brady Hoke’s first year back on the sideline, and they should be equally as fierce in 2021. The offense struggled in the passing game, but Georgia Tech transfer Lucas Johnson provides some hope at quarterback after showing flashes last season in limited action. New Mexico State lost 30-3 against UTEP in Week 0, but the Aggies could have a potent rushing attack with Juwan Price and Michigan transfer O’Maury Samuels holding things down in the backfield.
