USC · Big TenUSC Carries the Only Ranked Spotlight Into College Football’s Aug. 29 Return
Eight games open the college football season Aug. 29, but USC is the only ranked team on the schedule. That makes the Trojans the lone early measuring point for fans waiting to see ranked football first.
AUG 23, 2026
Games scheduled for Aug. 29.
Ranked team scheduled to play that day.
August date when college football returns.
01 · The NewsWhat Happened
Barry Werner of List Wire reports that college football returns Aug. 29 with eight games. USC is the only ranked team playing that day. The report identifies the Trojans as the lone ranked presence on the opening schedule, while also listing San Jose State, Eastern Michigan and North Dakota State among the teams in action. No kickoff times, opponents for USC, rankings, broadcast details or predictions are included in the supplied report. The opening date will feature several games, but USC owns the only ranked-team angle.
“That's I I'm going to whisper playoff. I'm going to whisper it. I'm not going to say it out loud and that's not a prediction, mind you, but it's okay.”
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