The first full Saturday for the 2024 college football season is also the first full Saturday of a new era for the sport. Following the Pac-12's breakup, there are now just four power leagues and the College Football Playoff has tripled in size. In a time of transition for the sport, conference consolidation and the arrival of the 12-team CFP are among the most consequential changes yet.
While the advent of mass transferring and NIL in recent years has impacted the player experience in historic ways, playoff expansion and conference realignment will fundamentally alter the public-facing product and the way seasons play out. For example: the loser of Saturday's showdown between No. 1 Georgia and No. 14 Clemson will still have a better-than-miniscule chance of reaching the CFP.
Furthermore, three national-title winning coaches have exited the sport since this time last year. Jimbo Fisher of Texas A&M was fired, Nick Saban of Alabama retired and Jim Harbaugh of Michigan left for the NFL amid two NCAA investigations into the Wolverines. Their replacements will each be making their debuts Saturday as the odyssey of college football begins its next evolution.
Oh, and if it looks like quarterbacks and middle linebackers are talking to themselves on the field before the ball is snapped, they aren't. Helmet communications are now allowed between coaches and one player on each side of the football up until 15 seconds remain on the play clock.
Which games should you pay attention to as this season of change begins? Here's a viewer's guide to help you navigate through the Week 1 action.
All times Eastern
The best games
No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson (in Atlanta) -- noon on ABC, fuboTV (try for free): The only active coaches with national titles in the College Football Playoff era will square off in a blockbuster showdown to begin Saturday's action. Kirby Smart's Georgia program is the class of college football, but Dabo Swinney's Tigers can turn the 2024 season upside down before September with an upset.
No. 8 Penn State at West Virginia -- noon on Fox, fuboTV (try for free): West Virginia will be seeking to avenge a 38-15 loss suffered at Penn State in last year's season opener. The Mountaineers recovered nicely, winning nine games and finding an offensive identity with Garrett Greene at quarterback. The rematch should be more competitive, especially considering the game's location.
Akron at No. 2 Ohio State -- 3:30 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free), Paramount+ with Showtime: This game should make for an appetizing first look at a title-or-bust Ohio State team. The Buckeyes spent big to attract elite transfer talent and bring back high-end defensive players. The Buckeyes are oozing with national championship potential in Ryan Day's seventh season. Now it's time to see what it looks like on the field.
No. 19 Miami at Florida -- 3:30 p.m. on ABC, fuboTV (try for free): It's a pressure-packed opener for both schools. Miami is all-in for Year 3 of the Mario Cristobal era with a handful of high-profile transfer additions following a dispiriting 12-13 start to the native son's tenure. Florida is just 11-14 so far under third-year coach Billy Napier and needs to rack up victories early if it wants to reach a bowl against the nation's toughest schedule.
Western Kentucky at No. 5 Alabama -- 7 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): George W. Bush was president the last time someone other than Nick Saban was Alabama's coach. Now it's Kalen DeBoer's turn. The former Washington coach makes his Crimson Tide debut against a Western Kentucky program that has been to five straight bowl games. The Hilltoppers are led by former Auburn and LSU quarterback TJ Finley, who could pose some challenges.
No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M -- 7:30 p.m. on ABC, fuboTV (try for free): Mike Elko makes his head coaching debut at Texas A&M following a remarkable two-year run at Duke. The opponent is led by a quarterback he knows well. Riley Leonard is charged with elevating the Fighting Irish's offense under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. Leonard was a star for the Blue Devils under Elko and was a massive offseason portal addition for the Fighting Irish.
Best of the rest
- Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt -- noon on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
- Bucknell at Navy -- noon on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
- Merrimack at Air Force -- 3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
- Colorado State at No. 4 Texas -- 3:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free)
- Forman at No. 6 Ole Miss -- 7 p.m. on SEC Network+
- Fresno State at No. 9 Michigan -- 7:30 p.m. on NBC, fuboTV (try for free)
- UCLA at Hawaii -- 7:30 p.m. on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free), Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)
- Idaho at No. 3 Oregon -- 7:30 on Big Ten Network, fuboTV (try for free)
